Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 18: District Development Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma today chaired a meeting of District Level Monitoring Committee for effective implementation of Tobacco Control Act, Cigarettes and other Tobacco Act with all stakeholders including members of Civil Society and senior level officers.
The DDC asked the Committee to ensure strict enforcement of all necessary section of Indian Tobacco Control Act in letter and spirit with emphasis on creating awareness among the public regarding efffects of cigarette and other tobacco products.
Elaborating Section 4 of the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act, the DDC asked the concerned officers to make sure that all public places including hospitals, court building, public and private offices, work places, hotels, educational institutions, are made smoke free for welfare of the society. He appealed the owner, manager or incharge of the public place to ensure display of “No Smoking” signage prominently at every entrance in addition to other conspicuous places within the public place, the signage must be in English or one Indian language as applicable.
The DDC also asked the officers to ensure compliance to Section 6 of the Act which prohibits sale of cigarette or any other tobacco products in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution by raising massive awareness. He also stressed the need of holding awareness programmes on regular basis especially in schools and colleges regarding the ill effects of tobacco and its products.
He assessed the progress made in the district for making all public places smoke free. He appreciated the role of different NGOs having taken lead role in the State for creating awareness amongst the public regarding the hazards of smoking.
Mr. Verma emphasized on all district officers to display the tobacco control signages in their offices and in the office buildings of their subordinate officers. He also directed the Chief Medical Officer to issue strict instructions to all BMOs and officers incharge of health facilities within the district to fix “No Smoking Boards” and strictly adhere to maintain no-smoking in health facilities.
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