Make Punjab Tobacco Free: SAD

Source from:  thehindu.com Moga, Sept. 2 (PTI) 09/03/2007

Shiromani Akali Dal(1920) today appealed to the Central and State governments to declare Punjab a 'Tobacco free' state. Seeking a ban on sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products throughout the state, President of SAD (1920) Ravi Inder Singh said it would help in improving health of the citizens. In order to mobilise the public opinion against tobacco, our party would organise awareness campaigns and public meetings in the state from November, Singh told reporters today. He said a ban on sale of tobacco products and smoking in public places was imposed in Chandigarh in July and a similar ban should be imposed in Punjab. Meanwhile Singh and Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, former Jathedar of Akal Takhat who was also present at the briefing, said their struggle for arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and closure of Deras in Punjab would continue in the form of awareness marches. They said Shiromani Akali Dal (1920) along with other radical Sikh organisations, would soon launch second phase of their awareness marches to pressurise the state government to take action against the Dera Chief. Enditem