The Madras High Court recently urged the Union government to recognize the serious impact of filter tobacco products, like "Cool Lip," on students and consider implementing a ban on their sale under the Food Safety Act.
The bench headed by Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy further instructed the Tamil Nadu government to set up "Child Tobacco Cessation Centres" across all districts, aiming to counsel and treat minors addicted to these prohibited tobacco products.
The Court’s directions follow observations of a sharp rise in children using such products, with at least ten related bail cases coming before the Court daily.
“Extreme emergency looms. There is a sudden spurt of children using Tobacco product more specifically a product named Cool Lip. Huge quantity of tobacco products is seized in State of Tamil Nadu especially in and around the schools. Decision has to be made by this Court in at least 10 cases per day relating to grant of bail in these types of matters,” the High Court noted.
The Court was hearing a bail application from Aunestraja, who had been arrested and remanded in August for possessing 27 packets of Cool Lip tobacco products. The State alleged that he acquired these products from other States and illegally transported them into Tamil Nadu. The High Court initially granted him interim bail in September, later making it absolute on October 30.
In its order, the Court voiced concern over the increasing use of tobacco products among school students and acknowledged the State authorities' challenges in preventing the smuggling of such products from other States into Tamil Nadu. Justice Chakravarthy noted that, while Tamil Nadu and some other States prohibit the sale of these products, the Union government might consider further actions under Section 86 of the Food Safety Act to safeguard students nationwide from accessing them.
“As such, the State Governments are bound to comply with the directions and therefore the Central Government shall consider the grave nature of the situation and issue further directions under Section 86 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The wide use, immense popularity and appeal to the children and the unique nature of these new dipping/filter tobacco products shall be taken into consideration,” the High Court said while disposing of the petition.
Advocate D Venkatesh appeared for Aunestraja.
Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan assisted by Deputy Solicitor General K Govindarajan appeared for Union government.
Additional Advocate General Veera Kathiravan, Government Pleader P Thilak Kumar and Additional Public Prosecutor RM Anbunithi appeared for the State government.
Advocate MR Sreenivasan appeared for the manufacturer of Cool Lip.
Advocate R Mani Bharathi appeared as the amicus curiae in the matter.
Website designed, developed and maintained by webexy