SHOPIAN, OCTOBER 24: The District Health Society, Shopian in collaboration with Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir today organised a District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) Meeting cum Symposium at Mini Secretariat, Shopian to facilitate the strict enforcement of ‘Control of Tobacco Protection Act, 2003’ ( COTPA) and ‘National Tobacco Control Program’ (NTCP) in the district.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar presided over the meeting cum seminar and reviewed measures and action taken till date towards the furtherance of Tobacco free society. Experts from the DHSK presented various provisions of the COTPA and NTCP for the awareness of stakeholders departments and a diverse gathering of audience.
On the occasion, directions were given for strict enforcement on making all government institutions/ private premises ‘Tobacco Free Zones’ and all educational institutions as ‘Tobacco Free Educational institutions ‘ as per the guidelines.
The DC also directed for displaying mandatory signages across the prominent places, denouncing use of Tobacco products. He said, smoking is the Window to Drug addiction, and that all measures should be taken to tackle the menace by creating necessary deterrence.
SSP Shopian, Anayat Ali deliberated on the critical role of multi sectoral strategies and proper implementation of laws to tackle the issue comprehensively and assured tougher and strictest stance and enforcement from police administration in the district towards the implementation of NTCP and COTPA.
During the deliberations, issues of surrogate advertising, vendor licensing, mass awareness campaigns, the role of village heads, teachers, and parents were deliberated upon and department wise Action Plans and responsibilities enumerated.
Emphasis was given on conducting intensive IEC activities across the district for dissemination of information on the adverse impacts of tobacco use. Capacity building of stakeholders was asked to be stressed for implementation along with increasing challans against the violations of the Act.
He also stressed on keeping watch on Drug addiction, anti social and anti national activities and taking cogent action against these threats.
ADDC Shopian, Dr.Nasir Ahmad Lone, ACR and other concerned officers from the district attended the event along with hundreds of Lumberdars and Chowkidars of the district.
