KISHTWAR: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pankaj Kumar Sharma today presided over a Workshop cum District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) Review Meeting to assess the implementation of National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) in the district.

At the outset, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rajinder Kumar highlighted the anti-tobacco measures launched in the district. He also discussed key components of the NTCP, including the prohibition of smoking in public places, the ban on the sale of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions and the restriction on both direct and indirect advertising of tobacco products.

The meeting deliberated on the need for concerted efforts, incorporating a comprehensive set of activities such as conducting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns in schools and communities, declaring educational institutions as Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI), designating at least 40 villages as Tobacco-Free Villages by the next quarterly review and conducting aggressive enforcement drives to ensure compliance with tobacco control regulations.

The DC called for adopting all laid down procedures and guidelines in implementing the NTCP in the district. He directed the Chief Education Officer to ensure that all educational institutions register on the ToFEI application and update the required 10-point Tobacco-Free attributes.

He also called for random inspection by the police, civil administration, and officers designated under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.

The Block Development Officers were asked to educate all stakeholders and strengthen community-based efforts in combating tobacco use. It was also decided to designate a Nodal Officer in all offices and institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of anti-tobacco measures.

A power presentation was given by Divisional Coordinator NTCP Shiveta Raina, underling the enforcement benchmarks of the COTPA 2003, including 85% above score in declaration of Tobacco free Educational Institutions via ToFEI application.

The session also included detailed discussions on the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2023, particularly sections 4, 5, 6 and 7, which focus on restrictions on smoking in public places, the sale and advertisement of tobacco products, and enforcement measures. The police and other designated authorities were directed to conduct enforcement drives at regular intervals to strengthen anti-tobacco measures across the district.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of engaging ambassadors and role models to inspire youth to refrain from tobacco use and raise awareness about its harmful effects.

The DC declared Shri Machail Mata Yatra as a No Tobacco Zone and order in this regard shall be notified shortly. He further directed concerned officers to ensure extensive challaning to curb tobacco use during the yatra.

He also directed all district and sectoral officers to declare their institutions as No Tobacco Zones and display necessary signage.

The meeting concluded with a resolve to enhancing coordination among the health, education, police and civil administration to ensure the effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Program in Kishtwar.

The meeting was attended by ACD/CEO KDA Kaiser Bhawani, SDM Chatroo Nayeem UR Rehman Mughal, CMO Dr. Rajinder Kumar, CEO Kishtwar, ARTO, DIO, BMOs, BDOs besides others.