North East high on tobacco consumption, Meghalaya acts tough

Shillong, : Mizoram has earned the dubious distinction of being the state with highest consumers of tobacco products, according to a survey by the National Family Health Survey.
The North Eastern states are among the highest tobacco consuming states, with Tripura ranking second with 48 per cent followed by Manipur with 42 per cent.
Meghalaya with 32 per cent consumers stands fifth on the list of the states in the country where 2500 people die due to tobacco consumption everyday, the statistics that were revealed at an advocacy workshop yesterday said.
Acting tough, Meghalaya government has instructed all the retail shop keepers and the owners of the cinema halls to strictly follow the guidelines under the Control of Tobacco Products Act (COPTA).