Efforts to make north Goa tobacco free
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) coordinator Roland Martins called on panchayat secretaries to ensure that a resolution is passed at the next gram sabha to make North Goa free from tobacco use.
He said the director of Panchayat has already sent circular to various panchayats in this regard. “This is more a health issue than an awareness one, as the expenses incurred by the government on cancer-related illnesses is a huge burden on the tax payers,” Martins said.
The GOACAN co-ordinator was speaking at a function to observe the World No Tobacco Day at the North Goa District Hospital, Mapusa.
Martins further stressed on establishing anti-tobacco committee in every school, high school and college which should consist of members of the PTA and some local individuals from the area.
GOACAN also brought to the attention of the officials the need to display the 'No smoking' board at every commercial establishment. He also said all those who sell tobacco-related products should display boards warning that the products are not sold to children.
He appealed to the administration particularly to the panchayat and municipal authorities not to wait for mamlatdars or police to conduct raids, as it puts a lot of pressure on administration to conduct such raids.
