ASIA SPEAKS NEWS SERVICE
KUPWARA, FEBRUARY 10: Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan today chaired a meeting of District Level Coordination Committee for National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) to review the measures for implementation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) -2003.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers to ensure strict implementation of the provisions of COTP Act in letter and spirit to ensure elimination of use of tobacco products especially from public places across the district.
She asked the concerned officers for installation of mandatory signages at prominent places like bus stands, schools, government and private offices to raise awareness about the prohibition and ill effects of tobacco use.
On the occasion, Chief Medical Officer Kupwara, Dr. Ramzan gave a detailed powerpoint presentation regarding various measures put in place by different departments for regulation of NTCP and COTPA.
He informed the meeting that 142 challans have been imposed on violators in the district, realizing an amount of Rs.18550. He also informed that 68 Counseling Sessions and 43 workshops have been conducted in the district to raise awareness among the people against ill effects of Tobacco products.
Divisional Nodal Officer NTCP, DHSK, Dr. Mushtaq also presented the overview on COTPA-2003 and Tobacco Control.
Regarding enforcement of the regulations, the Deputy Commissioner asked the CMO for distributing the challan books among Executive Officers of Municipalities, Tehsildars and BDOs.
To ensure tobacco free schools, the Dy. CEO was directed to ensure that no sale of tobacco products/cigarettes is made within 100 yards of each school premises and were asked to report to District Enforcement Squad if any such sale occurs.
The meeting also discussed various other measures for controlling the use of tobacco products including vendor licensing.
SSP Handwara, Dawood Ayoub; ASP Kupwara, SDM Lolab, SDM Karnah, CMO Kupwara, Dy. CEO, Principals of GDCs and other concerned officers attended the meeting.