IMPHAL, August 22: The Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh said, ‘banning tobacco productions and its sale in the entire country will be a better option to avoid children from using tobacco items.”
He said he will place the matter before the central ministry so as to discuss its possibility.
The CM was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a workshop on “Substance Abuse among children” organized by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur in association with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR, New Delhi at Classic Hotel, Imphal.
Addressing the seminar further, he said that the state cabinet had already banned tobacco products in the state and necessarily confiscated all tobacco products and vendors selling such items have already been done away with by the law enforcing agencies.
However, such drives are limited, he said.
As such, the only means is for a total ban throughout the country so as to stop children from consuming tobacco, he said.
The Chief Minister also said that important outcome is expected from the workshop while he assured the gathering that his government will take up necessary action to tackle the problem.