This is with reference to the provincial government's recent decision, banning production and sale of Gutka, a stuff extremely injurious to health.
You are very right that prohibition will prove hardly effective if its is not supported by public's active participation and that it can be obtained only through wide awareness campaigns on the hazards of consuming this poisonous substance.
The Gutka is accessible in every pan shop in the country. Even the remotest rural areas are not immune from its availability. The 'traders of death' have no compunction in poisoning the young generations by introducing this lethal substance in the society.
For them it is as normal a commercial activity as selling foodstuff, etc. I have witnessed many addicted youngsters suffering from cancer and other throat and lung diseases, ending in miserable deaths.
The Gutka poses fatal threat to the public at large and in order to get rid of this menace permanently more concerted, serious and systematic efforts are necessary.
First of all census should be conducted through NGOs engaged in social activities with active co-ordination of ministries of health, information and social welfare, so as to determine and locate the pan-shops/selling points and the number of people addicted to this reprehensible habit.
Also those involved in the heinous crime of manufacturing Gutka should be penalised with the support of local people and exposed through the media. Finally each outlet/selling point should be notified and kept on watch list of joint teams consisting of local Nazims and police of the area. In case of any violation of the ban imposed on the sale, the seller should immediately be interned or fined substantially and his shop impounded.
Those involved in manufacturing it should be discouraged from these activities and persuaded to adopt some ethical business and, if undeterred, be punished and their factories sealed.
The import of material used in preparing this pernicious substance should also be discouraged and the quantity which is available in the market should be confiscated forthwith. As for the users are concerned, as has been rightly suggested, in the newspaper, their parents' support is sin qua non for securing necessary compliance.
Advertisement campaigns through print and electronic media will definitely help in creating mass awareness and as a result furnish the required support which is highly essential for the success of this arduous task.