SHYAM ZAMBAULIKER | NT
MARGAO
The Goa Prohibition of Smoking and Spitting Act was implemented with a lot of enthusiasm, and it resulted in a drastic reduction in smoking in South Goa, however, it appears that now it has lost steam as smokers can be spotted smoking in public as well as private places in Margao and rural areas of South Goa, particularly, along the coastal belt.
Salcete has seen a large number of cases booked during the last two years, but the exercise against the violators has taken a backseat in the recent times.
And, this is evident from the fact that people can be seen smoking anywhere and everywhere and is a common sight especially in coastal villages. South Goa has 15 police stations of which Salcete has four of them.
As per records available, between 2006 and 2010 for a period of five years, four police stations from Margao sub divisions had booked 1,824 cases under Smoking and Spitting Act – Margao police had booked 721 cases, Maina Curtorim 477, Cuncolim 465, and Colva 161.
In 2011, in entire South Goa, the police had booked 1,106 cases while in the year 2012, 1,646 cases were registered, in 2013 – 1,889 cases, 2014 -2,255 cases, 2015-2,722 cases and in 2016, 1,481 cases.
Of the 1,481 cases registered in 2016 by South Goa police, maximum 348 cases were booked by Margao police followed by 59 cases by Vasco police, 211 by Quepem police, 180 by Curchorem police, 152 by Canacona police, 77 by Ponda police, 58 by Collem police, 83 by Sanguem police, 40 by Mormugao police, 270 by Vasco railway police, and 3 by airport police.
Police said that most of these cases booked in the last two years were at hospital buildings, health institutions, amusement centres, restaurants, eateries, hotel lounges, public offices, bus stations, ferry boats, garden, beaches etc.
Salcete, comprises sixty six villages and has four police stations- Margao, Maina Curtorim, Cuncolim and Colva which cover vast areas of coastal belt but one can see people indulging in smoking at private hospitals, private buildings, public offices, hotels, bus stations, eating houses and even educational institutions and there is also rampant use of tobacco.
As per figures available from police for period during 2008-2009, in entire Goa, 2718 cases were booked and the police stations collected a fine of Rs 2.70 lakh.
According to sources in police, the South Goa police had booked 828 cases in 2008-2009 while the North Goa police booked1890 cases.
The South Goa police, in 2007, booked 1461 cases under the Smoking and Spitting Act, while in 2006 they booked 1597 cases.
A senior police officer claimed that the law banning smoking in public places is being implemented with a lot of vigour by all police stations in South Goa and that the drive has not lost any steam.
He, however, said that he has issued directions to all police station, particularly in the coastal belt to intensify the drive and book cases.
A police officer said that “a social menace like public smoking cannot be eliminated by our action alone it requires support of the general public.”
Sandeep Hedge, a social worker, said that disallowing sale of tobacco products to minors had a good effect in the beginning, but the scene has changed nowadays and one can see labourers’ children and ragpickers buying tobacco products.
Hegde further said that “to have a complete ban on smoking a sincere effort on the part of citizens is also required and awareness campaigns of the media and NGOs can help youngsters to become aware of the consequences of smoking.”
Amey Prabhudessai, an advocate, said that law-enforcing authorities as well as anti-tobacco groups are working in tandem to achieve the goal.
He said that strict enforcement of laws to keep a total check on sale of tobacco in public places like around schools, colleges, offices is needed.
A school headmaster said that teachers and parents have a major and collective role and health education should be a part of the curriculum for school children. He said that
teachers’ training courses should also include sensitisation on smoking so that smoking in public places is rooted out.
He pointed that the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education had issued a circular to all the schools to educate the children on ill-effects of smoking, however, the anti-smoking talks have not brought in the desired results.
However, a retired officer said that the cases booked are just an eyewash and the fine imposed is very little. He said heavy fine can curb smoking in public places.