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CHENNAI, Jan. 1

A RECOMMENDATION by a standing committee of Parliament in the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Bill, 2000 that tobacco products display ``skull and cross bones'' to depict extreme danger has incurred the wrath of tobacco growers.

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Tobacco Farmers has strongly opposed the recommendation, saying it is an extreme step. A delegation of the federation, which met the Union Health Minister, Dr C.P. Thakur last week, also opposed a few more modifications suggested by the committee.

But their main worry is the suggestion that tobacco products carry the ``skull and cross bones'' pictorial depiction of danger, which they say would favour smuggled brands.

``(The) extreme step of printing skull and bones on tobacco products is over stretching. The danger and importance of the symbol will be reduced and rendered meaningless. Such extreme symbols should not be used on tobacco products,'' the federation said in a memorandum presented to Dr Thakur.

Referring to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihar Vajpayee's, statement at the World Health Organisation conference in January 2000 that it would be unrealistic to view tobacco purely as a health problem and ignore the economic and social fallouts, the federation said alternative employment should be found for those dependent on tobacco crop.

``All the 30 million people, who are dependent on tobacco, should be rehabilitated with alternative employment before stringent measures are taken against use of tobacco,'' it said.

Urging the Centre to re-orient its policies to help and prevent cigarette tobacco growers, labourers and the families in Andhra Pradesh from becoming insolvent, the federation said no other agricultural crop was remunerative to make up for the income from tobacco.

``We fully agree that smoking should be restricted in identified public places and sale of tobacco products to minors should be banned. However, there should be no restriction on sale around any specified institution,'' the growers body said, pointing out to the recommendation that tobacco products sale be banned within 500 yards of educational institutions.

``Goa and Rajasthan attempted to impose such restriction but found it impossible to implement. Such a clause will tantamount to almost a total ban and lead to chaos, harassment and unemployment. The sale may be banned within the educational institution premises,' the federation urged.

Stating that they were in ``deep distress'', the growers said cigarette volumes were declining rapidly and make up only 14 per cent of total tobacco consumption.

``Discriminatory taxation and policies in respect of cigarette is impacting entirely on the volumes. The total tobacco consumption, however, remains unaffected as other tobacco products consumption continues to rise,'' the federation said.

The standing committee of Parliament, headed by former Union minister, Mr S.B. Chavan, recently submitted its report suggesting modifications to the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Bill, 2000.

The federation members also met the Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, and the Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Murasoli Maran. They also sought a ``practical, reasonable and a non- discriminatory legislation policy'' to save the growers.

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