Kerala CM for strict action against tobacco sale

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Strict action would be taken against the sale of tobacco and related products near educational institutions, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said today.The Chief Minister was speaking at an interaction with doctors and patients at the Regional Cancer Centre here on the occasion of world anti-tobacco day.He said the next cabinet meeting would discuss effective measures to check the sale of pan masala and other tobacco products being sold near schools.RCC director Paul Sebastian told the Chief Minister that tobacco was causing cancer in 45 per cent of men and 15 per cent of women among the population.Chandy said awareness programmes had lessened smoking habits in the new generation.