Shopian Admin braces up to intensify Implementation of NTCP & COTPA- 2003

Shopian : The District Administration Shopian is going to launch a massive awareness drive about the health hazards of tobacco and enforcement of National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) and Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 in the district.
In this regard, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmed Simnani Wednesday chaired a meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee to discuss the modalities.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner gave directions and suggestions to build the capacity of the enforcement wings to have a better understanding of the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 to implement National Tobacco Control Programme(NTCP).
The Divisional Coordinator NTCP, presented a PowerPoint presentation and threw light on the prevailing tobacco usage scenario in Jammu and Kashmir besides, giving details of the penal and enforcement provisions of COTPA-2003. He also gave an overview of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Article 5.3, MPOWER and strategies on effective implementation of COTPA-2003.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to intensify anti-tobacco drives, besides holding awareness camps in all sub divisions of the district. He directed the Education department, Municipal Council, and Police to disseminate the message of ill effects of tobacco consumption among school children during “World No Tobacco Day” events. He further asked to keep check on the sale of tobacco and related products within 500 yards of any educational and other identified institutions.
Additional Deputy Commissioner also directed ARTO Shopian for displaying and installation of stickers in all the passenger buses indicating “No Smoking” to avoid smoking.
Principal, Government Degree College, Shopian, ASP, Shopian, Chief Medical Officer, Shopian, DDC members, Assistant Director Planning, Divisional Co-ordinator, Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, State Consultant, Food and Drug Control and other concerned attended the meeting.