Training Workshop on Tobacco Control held at Kishtwar

Kishtwar : The District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) on National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) today conducted a training workshop/meeting here in the conference hall of DC office Complex. The meeting discussed the contours of NTCP and provisions of COPTA-2003 besides execution of Action Plan for its implementation.

The meeting was chaired by District Development Commissioner Dr. Devansh Yadav and attended by ADC, Kishori Lal Sharma; ASP, Rajinder Singh; SDM Paddar, Dr. Rishi Kumar Sharma; SDM Marwah Dr. Mohsin Raza; CMO, Dr. Mohd Youqub Mir; Chief Education Officer, Sudarshan Kumar Sharma; State Programme Coordinator NTPC. Dr. Mohd Naser; BDOs, Principals/Representatives of colleges and other District and sectoral officers.

The meeting was held to discuss and finalize an action plan for implementation of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act 2003, prohibiting its advertising and to regulate production, supply, and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

During the meeting, a slew of directions were given to Law enforcement departments to ensure strict implementation of the provisions of the said Act and programme.The DC instructed for enforcing total ban on the sale of tobacco and related products within 100 yards of any educational and other identified institutions.

He also instructed the concerned officers to install the signages of “No Smoking” at public places and all other no smoking zones in order to ensure that the goal of “Smoking free District” is achieved.

The Deputy Commissioner also exhorted upon DLCC members to intensify implementation of NTCP and COTPA 2003. Massive awareness drives about the health hazards of tobacco and enforcement of NTCP shall be launched in the district, he said.

He directed the Education department, Health Department, Municipal Council, and Police to disseminate the message of ill effects of tobacco consumption among school children.

Besides, these departments were asked to nominate the Nodal Officers who shall coordinate the awareness activities. DC Kishtwar stressed to build the capacity of the enforcement wings to have a better understanding of the provisions of COTPA 2003 to implement the NTCP.

The Committee members were asked to identify 2 villages/ panchayats in the district that can be made Smoking free under NTCP. Meanwhile, the State Programme Officer NTCP, Dr. Mohd Naser gave detailed insights on the penal and enforcement provisions of COTPA-2003 besides discussing section 4, section 5, section 6, section 7 and strategies on effective implementation of COTPA-2003.

He discussed action plans on ‘Tobacco free educational institutions’ (ToFEI) and requested concerned departments to implement the guidelines of ToFEI in letter and spirit. Dr. Mohd Naser also highlighted the role of different stakeholders in combating the consumption of tobacco and its allied products.

On the occasion, ADC Kishtwar, ASP Kishtwar besides CMO also spoke about the ill effects of tobacco consumption on the health and rehabilitation measures to be adopted.