Chennai: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has launched the Tamil Nadu Tobacco Control Coalition (TTCC) on Sunday. He released a CD on “Smoke-Free World.”

While addressing at the ‘Consultation on Tobacco Control in Tamil Nadu,’ organised by the TTCC and Pasumai Thaayagam, ‘ Dr. Ramadoss said that he would urge the State Chief Minister to make Tamil Nadu the smoke-free State in country. He has been already urging the Chief Minister of Delhi and Maharashtra to make Delhi and Mumbai ‘smoke-free’ cities.

The Centre, would form the Central Tobacco Regulatory Authority to monitor and implement tobacco control laws in next 3-4 months, and would also launch a national programme to reduce the use of tobacco products in public places.

Police, headmasters, bus drivers and conductors and law enforcers would be empowered to penalize offenders.

Ramadoss added, “The fine is Rs 200 per offence, whereas we want it raised to Rs 2,000.” He urged people to oppose the use of tobacco products in the public places.

Nearly 4 percent of health problems in India are caused by tobacco products. He asked, “When tobacco consumption is coming down in developed countries, why should it go up in developing countries? If Bangladesh can bring down tobacco consumption, why can’t we? If Chandigarh can become a smoke-free city, why can’t Chennai.”

Also present was Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian, who said that more than 2,500 people lost their lives each day due to tobacco use.

But Ramadoss also rued that various quarters, which had the backing of tobacco companies, are opposng his fight against the use of tobacco.

He said, “People think that as an Union Minister I can implement schemes with a single signature. But, I was able to do only one per cent of the work. For the balance 99 per cent, I had to struggle.”

About 26 percent of Indian population use tobacco products.