The 5th State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) meeting under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), Haryana, was successfully convened in Chandigarh. The meeting was chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Government of Haryana.
Sudhir Rajpal. The session began with the presentation of the Action Taken Report by Director General, Health Services, Haryana, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, and Director, Health Services (NTCP Haryana) Dr. Brahm Deep Sindhu. They highlighted the progress made since the 4th SLCC meeting held on March 27, 2024.
Departments including Home, DMER, Education, and Food and Drug Administration shared updates on the implementation status of various tobacco control measures across the State. A notable highlight was the report from the Department of Higher Education, stating that 188 out of 388 colleges in the state have been declared “Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions” as per the Government of India’s ToFEI guidelines.
In response, Sh. Rajpal directed that all colleges in Haryana must be made 100 percent smoke-free, enforcing a strict ban on the sale and consumption of tobacco products within college campuses and a 100-yard radius of the same. He also suggested strict disciplinary action, including rustication, for students caught smoking, and mandated that tobacco products must not be sold in college canteens.
The case of Panjab University, Chandigarh, was discussed as a model example, having been declared tobacco-free and imposing a Rs.500 fine for smoking in the campus premises. A nodal officer has also been appointed to oversee enforcement in the University. Sh. Rajpal encouraged universities in Haryana to adopt similar practices.
Further, Sh. Vishwanath, City Magistrate, Panchkula, proposed the implementation of an e-challan system for violations under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003—similar to the one used by traffic police. Shri Rajpal endorsed the proposal and instructed the Health Department to collaborate with HARTRON to develop a dedicated e-challaning portal.A significant discussion also took place regarding the growing concern over e cigarettes/vaping, which are as harmful as conventional tobacco products, if not more so.
Dr. Kuldeep Singh provided a detailed account to Sh. Rajpal about the rising availability of e-cigarettes in both markets and online platforms, despite being banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019 (PECA, 2019).
This issue was highlighted as a major concern in terms of public health, and Sh. Rajpal emphasized that strict action should be taken to curb the illegal sale and distribution of e-cigarettes across the state.In addition, he acknowledged the effectiveness of anti-tobacco advertisements screened in cinemas and directed the Health Department to co-ordinate with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure regular screening of such messages.
He also directed that a similar public health advertisement addressing sex determination and gender bias be screened before movies in all cinema halls across the state. Officers from the State Tobacco Control Cell (STCC)—including Dr. Parvinder Jit Singh (State Nodal Officer), Ms. Arushi Sabharwal (State Consultant), and Mr. Pawan Suryavanshi (Budget and Finance Officer)—also provided key updates on the activities and current status of NTCP in Haryana. The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all stakeholders to reinforce tobacco control measures, enhance inter-departmental coordination, and move towards a tobacco-free Haryana.