Gram sabhas should seek ban on tobacco on August 15: PMK

Tobacco was the cause of death of about 12 lakh people annually according to studies, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss said.

A complete ban on its manufacture and consumption was the only way to save the lives of innocent people, he said.

Gram sabha meetings are scheduled to be held across the state on the occasion of Independence Day and resolutions seeking a nation wide ban on tobacco should be adopted and sent to state and central governments which must come forward to implement it, he said in a statement here.

Though a ban on tobacco products may result in job losses, this was the only solution to save the lives of innocent people, Anbumani, who is also the Dharmapuri Lok Sabha MP, said.

PMK, which supports prohibition, has for long been at the forefront of opposition to tobacco as well.