Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunoday appealed to the NGOs and other like-minded people opposing the use of tobacco to stand against the lobbies and industries.
"I want all the forces who are opposing tobacco to come together as a cohesive force to stand against the lobbies and industries who are ruining the younger generation of this country," Ramadoss said while inaugurating the three-day 5th World Assembly on Tobacco Counters Health here.
The minister said the government has decided to set up a national authority within four months to address the issue related to the tobacco menace.
The National Tobacco Control Authority will take care of tobacco-free initiatives, taxation policies and control of tobacco across the borders, he said, adding it will work in liaison with the state government.
Ramadoss said the vulnerable countries for tobacco today are India, China and Indonesia. The entire tobacco industries are looking at these countries which comprises one-third of the world's population.
About 73 per cent of the rural population in India fall under the "vulnerable high-risk groups, especially youths".
He said people in North-East region are the most vulnerable in the country and the government was trying to set up infrastructure facilities there.
He said the government, in its 11th five-year-plan has allocated Rs 500 crores for National Anti-tobacco campaign.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200712021550.htm
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