Deputy Commissioner of Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary today chaired a crucial meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee for the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). The primary focus was to thoroughly review the measures for the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) -2003.
In addition to addressing tobacco control measures, the Deputy Commissioner also reviewed preparedness for the smooth execution of the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) programme, 2024, in a session convened by the District Task Force Committee.Additional SP, Gaurav Mahajan, SDMs, CEO, CEO MC Ramban, BDOs, Designated Officer Food Safety, ARTO, MS DH Ramban, BMOs, ITI Superintendent and various other senior officers attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized strict adherence to the provisions of the COTPA Act, stressing the elimination of tobacco product usage, particularly in public spaces throughout the district. He directed concerned officials to install mandatory signage at educational and health institutions, as well as prominent public areas like bus stands and government offices, to enhance awareness regarding the prohibition and detrimental effects of tobacco use.
Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner asked CEOs and institutional heads to escalate anti-tobacco campaigns and administer anti-tobacco pledges to students during morning assemblies. He also tasked SDMs and Tehsildars with actively participating in enforcement drives to ensure all educational and health institutions in the district become tobacco-free zones.
The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed pogress made by all stakeholder departments in implementing the directives issued by the Chair. Earlier, In a detailed presentation, CMO, Kamal Ji Zadoo and Divisional Coordinator of NTCP, Shiveta Raina, shed light on the prevailing tobacco usage landscape in Jammu and Kashmir UT.
Raina also provided insights into the penal and enforcement provisions of COTPA-2003, along with an overview of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Article 5.3, MPOWER, and strategies for effective COTPA-2003 implementation. In yet another meeting convened today, the Deputy Commissioner, Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary issued directions to ensure 100% coverage within the Intensified Pulse Polio Immunization (IPPI) program. Emphasizing the significance of collaboration among different stakeholders, the Deputy Commissioner urged concerted efforts to educate the populace about the IPPI initiative.
The Deputy Commissioner also issued directives for the launch of a comprehensive awareness campaign across print, electronic, and social media platforms with an aim to inform and engage the public on both the execution of IPPI on March 3, 2024 and the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) -2003. By leveraging various media channels, the initiative seeks to maximize outreach and ensure widespread understanding and participation in these critical public health endeavors, he added.