The Hindu Business Line : Pictures on tobacco products

One must welcome as commendable the decision of the Health Minister, Mr A. Ramadoss, to enforce the printing of scary pictures on cigarette packs and other tobacco products from December 1, 2008 to deter people from using them.

It is sad, however, that some of the people’s representatives are lobbying to ensure that pictures of skull and bones, cancerous tumours, rotting teeth, diseased throats, etc., are not depicted on the packaging.

Are not these MPs supposed to be working in the interest of the common man? Do they not have the well-being of the citizens, and thus the nation, uppermost in mind?

Or is the profit of the tobacco industry more important?

Elected representatives should be more interested in framing and implementing laws and policies that benefit the common man.

Forty per cent of health problems of Indians are directly related to the use of tobacco or its products and Rs 450 billion per year is spent on taking care of such patients from tax-payers’ money. In such a scenario, Mr Ramadoss’ decision to display such grim pictures on packs is quite justified and should be supported by all right-minded citizens.

G. R. Vora e-mail

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