Tobacco usage among child labourers declines during lockdown
| Date :31-May-2020 |
By Tara Chettur :
World No Tobacco Day story
Tobacco usage among children in slum areas has been dropped considerably due to lockdown. Thanks to the unavailability of the product many children have totally quit tobacco chewing. Talking about this Shivani from Muskan organisation which also works along with BMC for implementation of COTPA (Cigarettes-and Other Tobacco Products Control) Act says that now children happily show their teeth saying that they have left tobacco chewing.
The interaction with children is confided during food packet distribution drive. Besides, they are also concerned now about hygiene and wash hand regularly as they are aware of corona pandemic. Besides, she also said that around 50 % of adult above 18 years also expressed their desire to quit smoking amid COVID-19 for health reasons. There are, however, cases of adults purchasing sanitiser as a replacement of liquor which is becoming dangerous trend. Abbreviated as COTPA, the act has provisions for restricting sale of tobacco products like banning sale near educational institutions etc.
The organisation is engaged in implementation of this act in urban slums in city where tobacco usage is highest among children which includes MP Nagar, Aishbagh, Navbahar Colony, Dhobi Ghat colony, Bajaria etc. With no proper rehabilitation centre to make child labourers aware about harmful impacts of tobacco was very tough but due to lockdown the supply of tobacco products was curtailed which is very positive impact in dark times of corona.