477
9.
premises, the legel cossession of onium is noces erily con- f ned to certain limited classes of the oculation,
Convictions for illicit possession ill also be easier to obtain in the future because the suplementary law of F.E** 2461 (1918-19), which allowed the possession of one tamlung of ocium, 70s a constant stumbling block, The penalties have also been increased, by providing a minimum fine or a mini- mum period of incrisonment for even the smallest quantity of opium found. (See Sections 36 end 37 of the Law,)
30. Certain further provisions, which come into force from R., 2463 (1922-23), make it illegal for any person, except home smokors retailers and dealers, to possess onium pipes. Convictions for offences against this portion of the Jar should be concaratively easy to obtain, as small quanti- ties of opium are more readily concealed than ere opium pipes. A period of one year has been allored before these provisions conefnto operetion, in order to permit present possessors of opium pipes to the suitable steps to dispose of them in con- formity with the requirements of the Lar, (Vide Opium Law, Title, IV).
31. Finally, there is a third set of provisions, which are to some into force from a date to be subsequently notified in the "Government Gazette", before which all smokers must be registered, Thereafter no further applications for regis- tration 111 be received (oxcent under "ell-defined limits, fro new imigrants), and no unregistered rerson will be al- lowed to murchase or smoke opium, (Vide Opium Lar, Title V.)
32, The various steps taken by the Government for the predual enforcement of greater stringency in the administra- tion of the Orium kegle have now been outlined, from the time of the contencement of the monopoly up to the present day. In the remaining portion ɗ this lemorandum it is pro- posed, in order to obtain a clearer understanding of the pol- ley of the future, designed to accomplish the final suppres- sion of opium smoking, to enter in some detail into the sub- jects of registration of smokers, estimated number of smokers, disposal of dross, financial aspects of the question, rqe op- ium, smuggling etc.
Theory of legistration of Smokers With a View to the Ultimate Supercasion of sacking.
33. Briefly, the theory is that the prohibition of smoking for those already zdricted to the drug is impracticable, and that the only rossible way is to devise means thoroby oth- er persona shall be prevented from taking to the habit. The