UDUPI SETS TARGET, SURGES AHEAD IN
TOBACCO CONTROL
TOBACCO CONTROL
After Gadag, Kolar and Chikmagalur districts, it’s the turn of Udupi
district to rise to the tobacco control challenge. Taking cue from the other three
districts attaining the tobacco compliance status, Udupi on Thursday set stage
for itself to surge ahead in this regard. In a crucial meeting held today,
concerned departments undertook a decision to strictly implement the tobacco
control regulations under the COTPA (Cigarettes and other tobacco products
act), 2003.
Addressing the meeting of stakeholders at the SP office in the
district, the SP K.Annamalai, IPS., charted out the blue print to effectively
implement provisions under the COTPA, 2003. With the active participation from
the district administration, the senior cop set a deadline of 30 days by which
they wish to attain the tobacco compliance status. “Police department will put
its strong foot forward in implementing tobacco control measures in association
with other departments,” he added.
Related discussions with the concerned
department heads were also held on the occasion and responsibilities of the
each stakeholder were explained. explained department heads about their role in
implementation and system of reporting on daily basis to district police
headquarters.
Dr John Kennedy of the Tobacco Control Project at the Institute
of Public Health, which is coordinating with the State government in implementing
the COTPA, addressed the gathering. He explained the burden of tobacco and the
need for the effective implementation of the COTPA provisions. He asked all
officers to take up this initiative as a social obligation to serve the
society.
Addressing the meeting SP K Annamalai, gave following
instructions to the participants:
Ensuring display of boards stating ban of tobacco products sale
in the 100 Yards jurisdiction of education institutions and related display of
boards explaining the same. One week time has been given to all the
institutions through education officers who were present at the meet if any one
fails will face strict action from police department of the concerned
jurisdiction.
Assuring ban of smoking in public places including bus stand,
parks, hotel and restaurants, bakery, shops, pan shops, cinema theatres,
private and government office premises. Also, to see into it that related
warning boards are installed in these places within 7 days.
Ensuring action if concerned individual or authorities fail to
display warning boards pertaining to tobacco control.
Ensuring clearing of tobacco product advertisements in public
places and at the point of sales.
Kick starting of a 30 days special drive starting from March
first week to ensure proper implementation of COTPA provisions in every police
station limits headed by CPI, PI or Sub Inspectors.
All the department authorities have also given instructions to
hold awareness programmes at all panchayath and village level to speed up the
tobacco control measures. All police officials have been instructed not to tone
down the above directions but work hard to ensure the district attaining the
tobacco compliance status with the set deadline.
A directive has also been given to all police stations to send
daily reports on the COTPA implementation and related cases registered to the
office of district SP.
Officers from Health, Education, Municipality, fisheries,
Transport, Information, Representatives from ZP, Private hospitals
representatives, Food and civil supply department officers have participated
and assured for the related support and display of boards in their office
premises within the deadline fixed.
For
details call: Praveen Rao S,Institute of Public Health, Bangalore. 9916796559.
No comments:
Post a Comment