Big Tobacco Tiny Targets Study – Gujarat workshop
Big Tobacco-Tiny Targets Study-Rajkot Workshop
Consumer VOICE in collaboration with its state partner Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal Rajkot, Gujarat organised a stakeholders’ workshop on July 24, 2021 at Circuit House, Rajkot to release the findings of a new report titled ‘Big Tobacco Tiny Targets’ that revealed tobacco companies are systematically targeting children as young as eight year old in Gujarat by selling tobacco products and placing tobacco advertisements near schools premises. These egregious tactics, used by companies like British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco or Indian Tobacco Company (ITC), Philip Morris (Godfrey Philips) are happening all over the country in clear violation of Section 5 and 6 of Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act.
The report was inaugurated in the presence of eminent guest and speakers Shri Maheshbhai Mehta- President Lakhajiraj Merchant Association, Rajkot, Dr. D.V Gupta, Director, Rajkot Cancer Hospital, Shri Gijubhai Bharad, renowned educationist, Rajkot, Dr. Nileshbhai Shah, District Health Officer, Rajkot, Dr. Pankaj Rathod, Health Officer, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Smt.Ramaben Mavani, President Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal, Shri Hemant Upadhyay Advisor IT &Projects, Consumer VOICE.
The event concluded with group discussion where all stakeholders including educationists and leader of merchant association discussed the methods of smooth implication of vendor licensing and how they can make it more effective, people were sensitized about the role of government body which can help them if the law is seen to be violated.
More than 50 participants mark their presence at the workshop. The media also highlighted the report findings widely.
Big Tobacco-Tiny Targets Study-Ahmedabad Workshop
Consumer VOICE in collaboration with its state partner Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal Rajkot, Gujarat organised a workshop on July 31st, 2021 at Conference Hall, Government Circuit House, Sahibaug, Ahmedabad to release the findings of a study titled ‘Big Tobacco Tiny Targets’ that revealed tobacco companies are systematically targeting children as young as eight year old in Gujarat by selling tobacco products and placing tobacco advertisements near schools premises.
The report was inaugurated in the presence of eminent guest and speakers Shri Dr. Kiritbhai Solanki, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Ahmedabad ,Shri Kirit Kumar J. Parmar Mayor, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Ahmedabad, Shri Pratikbhai S. Patwari, Secretary, Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Shri Amarjeet Singh Panghal, Advisor- Legal & Projects, Consumer VOICE, Shri Dr. Pradipbhai Vaghasia, Director, GIPS Hospital & De-addiction Centre, Ahmedabad, Shri Dr. Chiragbhai Shah, Health Officer, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Shri Shirishbhai B. Tolia, Hon’ble Judge, Gujarat High Court, Ahmedabad, Educationists- Shri Muktakbhai Kapadia,Shri Bhagavat Rushi, Shri Dr. Hemantbhai G. Koshia-Food Commissioner, Gujarat State, Shri Ramjibhai B. Mavani, Ex-M.P. (Lok Sabha), Rajkot and Smt. Ramaben R. Mavani, Ex-M.P. (Lok Sabha) President, Rajkot Saher Jilla Grahak Suraksha Mandal, Rajkot .
Educationists, leader of merchant association and other stakeholders discussed the methods of smooth implication of Tobacco Vendor Licensing System in the state and how they can make it more effective. The whole workshop was live on Facebook and more than 1000 facebook users were take part in the event. More than 60 attendees marked their presence at the release. The media also highlighted the report findings widely.