Kathua: A meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was Saturday held to review the Tobacco control measures and the ongoing Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma chaired the meeting. Chief Medical Officer Dr Vijay Raina briefed the Committee on the implementation of NTCP directives, highlighting progress made since the previous meeting and areas requiring greater focus.
The meeting discussed promotion of Tobacco Free Villages/Panchayats, adherence to Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI) guidelines and the self-assessment process for schools under the campaign.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed up on strict monitoring of tobacco sale points, necessary legal action against violations and intensifying community-level awareness to discourage tobacco use, especially among youth.
The Chief Education Officer was directed to ensure registration of all educational institutions on the ToFEI App within 15 days and to convene a meeting with private schools for streamlining compliance.
Additional Deputy Commissioners of Basohli and Billawar were asked to identify tobacco sale hotspots in their respective jurisdictions for focused enforcement measures.
ADCs and Block Development Officers participated in the meeting through virtual mode, ensuring district-wide coordination and timely implementation.
The meeting concluded with a call for collective and sustained action to minimize tobacco-related health risks and promote a healthier environment for the young population.
