Punjab government mulls hiking smoking age to 21

CHANDIGARH: Punjab health minister Balbir Singh Sidhu has agreed to the recommendations of health experts to increase the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 years to 21 years. An estimated 35% of users start using tobacco before they are 18 years and 70% before 21 years of age.

Sidhu was present during the consultation held in the School of Public Health at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.

The event, organized jointly by community medicine department and School of Public Health, Punjab Tobacco Control Cell and Strategic Institute for Public Health Education and Research, discussed: 'Why legal age to buy tobacco and legal nicotine products should be increased beyond 18 years?'

The minister agreed with the proposal that the legal age to buy tobacco should be increased beyond the present limit of 18 years. At the same time, he also assured to expedite the process of licensing the tobacco vendors.

Speakers pointed out that nearly 5,500 children start using tobacco daily in India and about half of them will continue to use it to adulthood. If the current smoking trends continue, tobacco will kill nearly 250 million people in near future.

Director Chemical Examiner Laboratory, Punjab, Dr Rakesh Gupta said that nicotine in tobacco is as addictive as heroin, so should be covered in de-addiction programme.

National Tobacco Control Programme state nodal officer Dr Nirlep Kaur said state should implement Section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, to curb sale to minors.