HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, May 14: On the occasion of Mother’s Day, hundreds of mothers across Assam appealed to Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to strengthen the tobacco control law for saving the young generation from tobacco addiction. Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum (CLPF), Assam took this initiative and submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India by involving the mothers from different parts of the state.
The campaign was organised simultaneously in major cities of the state on Sunday. Hundreds of mothers participated in the campaign and requested the PM to consider immediate introduction of a strong tobacco control law in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament in the interest of public health.
The mothers said, “We need a law that will protect our children to live smoke-free lives. It will also give some relief to mothers like us who are always worried about their kids.”
Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum, Assam said, “As per recent Global Youth Tobacco Survey released by the Union minister for Health and Family Welfare, nearly one-fifth of students aged 13-15 years are using tobacco products in India. The nationwide survey of students revealed that 38 percent of cigarettes, 47 percent of beedi and 52 percent of smokeless tobacco users picked up the habit before their 10th birthday.”
