The Nasha Mukti Yuva Sankalp (NMYS) has urged the State Government to implement the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 during the Asian Athletics Championship 2003 for prohibition of smoking and consumption of tobacco in and around the venue, Kalinga Stadium.
The NMYS has submitted a memorandum to the Sports and Youth Services Secretary and Health Director in this regard.
The Section 4 of the COTPA, 2003 prohibits smoking in public places including stadiums, said NMYS Sankalpi Md Imran Ali.
Tobacco is the major preventable cause of cancer. It kills 2,500 people in India every day and 60 lakhs globally every year.
While India has become a capital of mouth cancer, strict execution of COTPA at the national event would serve its purpose,” said Ali.