Phulbani: Consumption of tobacco products has seen a sharp rise in the state, even as people are being made aware of its harmful effects.
The scenario is quite alarming as Orissa tops a list of nine states in gutkha consumption, according to a 2011 survey by the health department.
The survey found that 38 per cent of the people aged above 15 years in the state are gutkha consumers.
The state government in 2013 banned the sale of gutkha in the state but this prohibition had little impact on the tobacco product’s consumers whose numbers is increasing with each passing day.
The sale of gutkha has seen a spurt in the district headquarters of Phulbani as well in villages of Kandhamal district with minors as major consumers.
Similarly, the sale and use of other tobacco products like cigarettes and pan masala have shown no sign of decline. This has ruined the purpose of ‘World No Tobacco Day’ observed May 31 every year by people across the world.
The indifferent attitude of the authorities entrusted in implementing the restrictions on sale of tobacco products has led to the state of affairs.
This has only emboldened the sellers to carry on their activities with impunity.
Even advertisements in newspapers and television channels and awareness drives through other mediums have failed to curb the sale of tobacco products.
The restriction imposed by the state government in 2013 has turned out to be farce as people could be seen smoking and consuming pan masala and gutkha at public places due to inaction by police and health officials.
Social activist Rohit Kanhar blamed the government for the rise in sale and consumption of tobacco products in the state.
Additional district medical officer Dr Narayan Sethy said he will take action after receiving an order in this regard from the state government.
Sub-divisional police officer Prabhat Chandra Panigrahi said action would be taken against gutkha sellers in coming days. PNN