From Daijiworld's special correspondent Ares in Panaji 

Panaji, Jun 20: While hailing the state government for successful implementation of the ban on gutka, the National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) has lamented that for last one year there is almost no enforcement of the smoking and spitting ban in public places.

"Considering the resources at the disposal of the enforcing authorities, I would say that they have done very satisfactory work towards enforcing the ban on gutka But as far as smoking and spitting in public places is concerned, there is no enforcement for the last 11 months," commented NOTE India General Secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar.

Stating that Goan students are still susceptible for tobacco related problems, Dr Salkar quoted the sample survey of school children of Goa conducted in the year 2000 as part of Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). "It was found that about 5 per cent of the school children were consuming tobacco in some form or the other."

"In the various states of the country, the percentage of children using tobacco ranged from 4 per cent to 63 per cent. The incidences were the highest in the North Eastern states," he said.
 
Dr Salkar, who himself is a practicing oncologist, stated that average 1,500 new cancer cases surface in Goa every year. Of these, about one third are that of oral cancer.  Most of these oral cancer cases are seen in younger persons mostly addicted to gutka or other tobacco chewing products.
 
The NOTE-India General Secretary said that nearly 80 per cent of cancer cases that were reported in Goan hospitals can be treated in the state itself. Remaining cases, which need sophisticated treatment, are referred to higher centers.