legislations against smoking will hit tobacco companies in Goa. A legislation that bars the sale of cigarettes to persons under 21 has already been passed in the state assembly. Smoking in public places and advertising of tobacco products has also been banned. Vendors selling tobacco products to those below 21 will have to pay a minimum fine of Rs 1,000 and face a three-month jail term for a second offence. "These anti-smoking measure will add up to 15-18 years of life lost otherwise to tobacco users," says Sharad G Vaidya, chairperson of Goa-based National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication. A survey conducted in 1992 by the Goa Cancer Society revealed that there were some 11,500 boys and 7,200 girls below the age of 15 who were regular smokers.
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