New Delhi, Sep 26 (KNN) The Akhil Bharatiya Paan Vikreta Sangathan (ABPVS), a body of small tobacco retailers across India, has appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health Ministry to include tobacco retailers in the team representing India at World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

ABPVS said in a statement that the Government might be forced to consider and adopt harsh policies against tobacco retailers at WHO FCTC, scheduled to be held in India in 2016.

To counter this and to ensure that the small retailers are also allowed to present their point of view and their valid concerns, the association has also appealed to the Health Ministry to include tobacco retailers in the team representing India at WHO FCTC.

The appeal has also been made out to the Union Health Minister, Union Commerce Minister, Union Labour Minister and Union Finance Minister.

“ABPVS is pained to see that lobbying by various Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in India on tobacco regulation has resulted in excessive tobacco control policies which have caused immense hardships to lakhs of tobacco retailers in the country and also put their livelihood and existence in danger,” said ABPVS.

“In the WHO FCTC conference, the discussions will be held behind closed doors, and conclusions would be decided by just a few participants. Is it the best way to decide the future of the millions dependent on the industry? We expect impractical and unreasonable tobacco control measures to be adopted without any discussion or representation from stakeholders like us. Since the conference is being held India – a proud democracy – it should follow the democratic traditions of the country and allow participation by those whose future would be affected,” said Ram Ashrey Mishra, President, Akhil Bharatiya Pan Vikreta Sangathan.

The association has also requested the Ministers not to participate in the WHO FCTC in November 2016 conference stating that it is working against the millions of small and poor tobacco retailers of the country, who are already under tremendous pressure to make a living and ensure their family’s survival. (KNN Bureau)