Increase minimum age for smoking to 21 years: Anbumani
Saying that the Act was implemented when he was the Union Health Minister, Anbumani demanded that the Tamil Nadu government increase the age as persons getting used to cigarettes would continue the practice throughout their lifetime.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss
CHENNAI: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss demanded that the Tamil Nadu government follow Karnataka and ban tobacco products, including cigarettes, to persons below 21 years of age.
In a statement, Anbumani said that Karnataka amended certain sections of the Central Government's Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, to increase the minimum age to 21 from 18. "Also, the penalty has been increased. As the President gave an assent, the new rules came into force in Karnataka," he added.
Saying that the Act was implemented when he was the Union Health Minister, Anbumani demanded that the Tamil Nadu government increase the age as persons getting used to cigarettes would continue the practice throughout their lifetime.
"Ban on smoking is being implemented in more than 20 countries, including France, Austria, Canada, Bhutan, Belgium, and Brazil. In India, 12 crore persons smoke and 13 lakh die every year. A recent study by WHO reveals that 25 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women above 18 years of age are smoking," he said.
He added that a draft Act to increase the minimum age to 21 nationwide was framed in 2021 but not implemented. "On the other hand, Tamil Nadu is not even effectively implementing a ban on smoking in public places. So, the Tamil Nadu government and the central government should increase the minimum age by one year every year to make the country smoke-free," he urged.
