KULGAM, OCTOBER 27: Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kulgam, Vikar Ahmad Giri, today chaired a meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee at the Mini-Secretariat, Kulgam, to review the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).
During the meeting, the ADC stressed the need to ensure strict compliance with COTPA provisions and directed the concerned departments to maintain tobacco-free zones in and around educational institutions and other public places across the district. He called for regular inspections of institutions and enforcement drives to check violations, particularly the sale of tobacco products near educational institutions.
The ADC further stressed the need to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and ensure accountability at the institutional level. He directed that a senior officer from the Mini-Secretariat be assigned responsibility for monitoring compliance and ensuring that the directions are implemented effectively.
A review of the activities undertaken under the National Tobacco Control Programme was also held. Chief Medical Officer, Kulgam, apprised the meeting of the enforcement drives, challans issued, fines realised and awareness activities conducted in the district.
The meeting also reviewed compliance with Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) guidelines, under which 269 educational institutions have been declared tobacco-free.
The ADC emphasised the importance of sustained awareness campaigns, strict enforcement and coordinated efforts by all concerned departments to discourage tobacco use and protect public health, particularly among children and youth.
The meeting was attended by the various district officers, BMOs of Health and Education Departments and other concerned officials of departments.
