Beedi pictorial warning size limited -Forum

Beedi pictorial warning size limited -Forum

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 11, 2016 : Addressing media on Mar 10, Thursday, BMS - Beedi Mazdoor Sangh,  President Vishwanath Shetty said the implementation of the government notification, dated October 14, 2014 stating that the size of the pictorial health warning should be enhanced from 40 per cent to 85 per cent on both sides of beedi packets with effect from April 1, 2016, is not practical as it is impossible.

Shetty said the beedi industry has been following all the rules under the COTPA - Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act since it was introduced in 2003. The rules include ban on advertisements in all direct and indirect forms, sales promotion, sale to minors, sale near specified institutions, display of large warning signs at the point of sale, smoking in public places, and display of ’No Smoking’ boards at specified public places, he added.

He said the issue of enhancing the pictorial health warnings from 40 per cent to 85 per cent on both sides and its feasibility is presently under consideration of the parliamentary committee on subordinate legislation on the representations made by the beedi industry to the health minister. Though the opinion of the committee is awaited, the implementation date (April 1, 2016) is fast approaching. The authorities concerned to postpone the date of implementation till the committee report is considered by the parliament and also to amend the notification dated October 14, 2014 and retain the pictorial health warning to the existing 40 per cent of size.

Referring to the new notification which has prompted the beedi manufacturers to issue notice of closure as they claim that they are unable to comply with the requirement stipulated by the Union Ministry of Health with regard to affixing large warnings on beedi packets, BMS office-bearer Varad-akshi Salian said the closure of beedi industry will render women jobless and it will, in turn, affect the education of children of beedi workers as they will be forced to work in order to supplement the household income. "This will lead to large-scale social unrest of untold proportions," she said.

Stating that more than 8,00,000 families are depending on the beedi industry in Karnataka alone, she said no person rolling beedis has ever contracted TB or cancer or no suicides have ever been reported due to any beedi work related issues. "There are 14 health centres for health check-up of beedi workers in Dakshina Kannada district and anybody can check this," she said.

Appealing to the authorities to take precautionary steps so that the beedi industry does not collapse, she said the families of beedi workers will be affected if this rule is implemented. The beedi workers will be jobless and devastated and not the manufacturers who are well to do, she added.

BMS Secretary Gopalakrishna and office-bearer Revathi Belloor were also present.