Special drives to enforce ban on sale of Tobacco Products around Health Centres, Education Institutions: DC SRINAGAR, APRIL 10:- In order to review the implementation and enforcement of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act (COPTA) in the District, a Workshop cum Meeting of District Level Coordination Committee(DLCC) was held under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad here today at Meeting Hall of DC Office Complex. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Superintendent of Police, General Manager DIC, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Education Office, Assistant Commissioner Drug & Food Control, senior Health functionaries, Tehsildar Headquarter, Executive Director, J&KVHA other concerned and representatives of NGOs were present in the meeting. At the outset, a threadbare discussion was held in order to chalk out a plan to ensure visible impact of implementation of COPTA on ground by arresting the problem through effective surveillance, feedback mechanism and taking timely measures to curb the menace of Tobacco products. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner laid stress on the need of awareness generation among the masses regarding the harmful effects of using Tobacco products. He asked the Officers to work in close coordination so that Tobacco Control laws are implemented effectively on ground across Srinagar. The DC directed for launching special drives for strict enforcement of Tobacco Control Laws particularly around Hospitals and Educational institutions, public places. The DC directed the concerned authorities to initiate appropriate “penal action” against the defaulters under rules. He further said that Enforcement Squads will also monitor the unlawful sale of cigarettes in Srinagar and curb the menace. The DC also appealed to the people of Srinagar particularly the shopkeepers to desist from the sale of cigarettes and other Tobacco products and save the younger generation from the ill effects of the tobacco products. The Nodal Principal Colleges and Chief Education Officer were asked to take all required measures to implement COPTA around all educational institutions of the District by designating liaison/Nodal officers from respective colleges and schools. The DC further asked for preparing an action plan for Tobacco free villages in rural areas of the District. During the meeting, the participants were given detailed information about the different sections of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act (COPTA). Pertinent to mention that the Government has already ordered for strict enforcement 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 and Rules, and has also issued instructions from time to time to all the concerned to take penal action against defaulters.
