After the forceful implementation of COTPA ACT in Punjab, Regional Workshop on National Tobacco Control Programme was especially held in Chandigarh to chalk out further strategy in intensifying tobacco control in Northern States.Stating this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that as many as 40 Participants from 7 states/UTs (Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand,Delhi, and Chandigarh) and officials from WHO, The Union and Ministry of Health and family welfare attended the conference.He further said that under the 12th Five Years Plan, Government of India has proposed expansion of NTCP to increase its coverage all over India. In the year 2014-15, NTCP coverage has been increased from 53 districts to 108 districts across 31 states / UTs which is further expanded in the year 2015-16 to over 200 districts.During the meeting, Dr. Rana J Singh, Deputy Regional Director, The Union South-East Asia said that tobacco epidemic was entirely preventable but multi-stakeholder approach was needed to fight this menace. He further said that this workshop would help the participants to gain in-depth knowledge to implement, manage, supervise, monitor and evaluate NTCP at state and district level. He further said that Punjab, though a non-NTCP state till 2014, was doing extremely well in Tobacco Control under the inspiring leadership of Mrs. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary Health, Punjab. In addition to declaration of all 22 Districts as Tobacco Free, five districts have been declared as total compliant to Anti-Tobacco law COTPA.Dr. H.S. Bali, Director Health Services, Punjab shared the Punjab journey for tobacco control in the state and assured to implement many more innovations beyond COTPA for strengthening and advancing tobacco control in Punjab.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. K. C. Samria, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, conveyed the firm commitment of the government for effective tobacco control in the country. He advised all the participants to ensure effective enforcement of legislation, multi-stakeholder engagement; regular supervision and monitoring; review of programme activities and regular reporting to central government.Addressing the conference, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, State programme Officer said that to virtually demonstrate the practical aspects of implementation of Anti-Tobacco law as a part of field activity, an enforcement drive was organised by Punjab Team led by its Officers. As many as 20 Challans were issued to violators and an awareness regarding latest Pictorial Health Warnings was given to the tobacco vendors.Prominent among the others who attended the conference included Dr. (Ms) Vineet M Gill representative of Wold Health Organisation, Dr. Mira Baghi, Behavioural Scientist, and Dr.L Swasticharan from Ministry of Health Government of India besides other officers of the Health department.