“Punjab Police has greater role to play in the crusade against drug addiction initiated by Chief Minister Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh to completely root out drugs from Punjab. So the Punjab Police must also own up its responsibility and must strive hard to ensure the strict implementation of Anti Tobacco/ Nicotine Laws in the state.” It was said by Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Health & Family Welfare Minister.Disclosing this in a press communiqué Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that the Health Department has been passionately pursuing the agenda to bring down tobacco consumption in Punjab. He said that Police is an important stakeholder for the effective implementation of Ban on Flavored/Scented Chewable Tobacco, Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), Juvenile Justice Act and Section 268, 269 & 278 of IPC for tobacco Control in Punjab. He said the Director General of Police has been asked to issue necessary directions to all the Police officials regarding the strict implementation of all Anti-Tobacco/Nicotine laws.
The Minister said that Smoking and spitting at public places has been banned under Section 268, 269 & 278 of IPC, 1860 in the state. On the basis of the compliance assessment studies done by the PGIMER, Chandigarh in 2017, 16 districts out of 22 has been declared as high COTPA complaint.Mr. Brahm Mohindra added that strict action will be initiated against those selling flavored/scented tobacco. The Punjab Government has banned the sale and distribution of Flavored/scented chewable tobacco in the state. He said that sale of e-cigarettes and running of Hookah Bars will also be on the radar of health authorities.Health Minister said that in India 3500 people die every day because of tobacco consumption and tobacco is responsible for approximately 90% of oral cancers. Infact, tobacco is the most important preventable risk factor for all non-communicable diseases including cancer, hypertension, heart diseases, lung diseases and stroke etc. He added that more than 375 village panchayats have declared their villages as Tobacco free and all districts of state have also been declared as tobacco-free. He further said that Punjab is nationally and internationally known for its good practices in tobacco control. With reduction in prevalence of Tobacco in males by 14.6% as per NFHS – 4 data, we are now aiming at “End game tobacco” by further reducing prevalence of tobacco use.