Doda: A day long workshop on the effective implementation of National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) and enforcement of The Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, was on Saturday held in the Conference Hall of DC office complex here under the guidance of District Magistrate Vishesh Mahajan.
The workshop was attended by the ADC Bhaderwah Chowdhary Dil Mir; CMO, Dr Hamid Zargar; DIO DIPR, Mohammad Ashraf Wani; Dy BMOs, officers from Police, Municipal bodies, Education, State Taxes, Agriculture, Food & Drugs Administration departments, and other concerned officials.
Besides, a review of the progress made and decisions implemented with reference to last directives was also held in a meeting of District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC), which met, alongside the workshop.
In her lecture titled ‘Epidemiology and Burden of Tobacco Use in India and J&K, Shiveta Raina, Divisional Coordinator, NTCP Directorate of Health Services Jammu, threw light on the serious concerns of tobacco use.
She also elaborated the provisions and sections of COTPA -2003, for effective implementation of NTCP in the district. She urged the district administration to launch major enforcement drives for visibility and awareness of the tobacco hazard.
While discussing the National Tobacco Control Programme, DM directed the CEO/ heads of HSSs and Degree Colleges to declare their institutions Tobacco free by adhering to the guidelines of the NTCP and rigorous awareness/enforcement drives.
He also directed to spread awareness and place hoardings and posters on hazards of consuming Tobacco and tobacco products at prominent public places and government institutions.
Mahajan directed the stakeholders to launch a campaign on social media in this regard. He further directed the concerned to implement the COTPA Act 2003 in letter and spirit in the district.
The DM informed that a major campaign involving all stakeholders, including motivated common people, will take off soon across the district to declare Tobacco free villages and Schools, besides creating mass awareness on the hazards of active/ passive smoking and novel trends in smoking Tobacco and its products. He appealed to the smokers to give up this habit for their own health and for the health of their dearest once.
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