The District Development Commissioner Budgam, Tariq Hussain Ganai today constituted a District level Anti-Tabacco Squad to ensure strict implementation of COTPA-2003 to curb the menace of tobacco use across the district.The team to be comprised of Drug Inspector, Food Safety Officer, Concerned EO, representatives from BMO’s office and a Sub-Inspector rank police officer of concerned Police station was constituted during a District level Coordination review meeting under National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) at New Conference Hall Budgam. The meeting cum sensitization programme was organized by State Tobacco Control Cell, J&K in collaboration with International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases.The DDC who is also the chairman of DLCC stressed upon the team to ensure complete ban on smoking in all public places and other identified non-smoking zones, besides the squad shall also ensure no sale of tobacco products to minors and use of tobacco products by any person below the age of 18 years. Stressing on imposing fine on offenders, the DDC said ban on use of tobacco products by a person below age of 18 shall be strictly dealt with.
At the outset the DDC also designated Assistant Director Planning as Nodal Officer for COTPA-2003 and stressed on all concerned to carry out holistic and comprehensive set of activities as provided in COTPA-2003. He stressed on the concerned to ensure erection of anti-smoking sign boards at all non-smoking zones within 15 days time period to ensure effective Implementation of the anti-tobacco law to discourage offenders to resort to violation. He called for holistic approach and emphasized on concerned to work in synergy to make Budgam as smoking free district.On the occasion, District Health Officer, Dr. A G Raina specified the objectives of the meeting and deliberated upon the effort being taken to control the menace of tobacco, while as Dr. Mohammad Naser though power point presentation spoke thoroughly on burden of tobacco use in India and J&K, COTPA-2003.The meeting was informed that the J&K tops in lung cancer due to use of tobacco products. Dr. Maria Zaffar spoke on the role and responsibilities of various departments on tobacco control while as Mr. Tauseef spoke on the achievements of NTCP in the district Budgam.