Chewing tobacco ban proposal submitted to state govt, says health minister

Mangaluru, Nov 17: Minister for health and family welfare U T Khader said that the health department had submitted a proposal to the state government on introducing a ban on chewing tobacco and similar carcinogenic products.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, he said that the tobacco growers of the state need not be apprehended over the proposed ban, since the ban, if implemented, would not affect the production of tobacco in Karnataka.

Mr Khader said that the common medicinal plants and herbs in forests were losing their importance and value due to lack of necessary research on them. To resolve this issue, it has been proposed to establish an Ayush university in Shimoga next year, said.

He said that the Indian traditional method of treatment and therapy would be revived and given importance by establishing an Ayush university in Karnataka, similar to the Gujurat Ayurved University in Jamnagar.

Biometric cards for Ayush practitioners

Mr Khader said that the state government for the first time, was offering biometric cards for registered Ayush practitioners to crack the whip on quacks and fake Ayush practitioners. With the biometric ID cards, the practice of fake doctors can be checked, he said.

The Karnataka Ayurveda and Unani Practitioners Board (KAUPB) has made it compulsory for all practitioners to have a biometric identity card. The deadline for Ayush practitioners for uploading the necessary documents is December 31, 2014.