Officials stress inter-departmental coordination, COTPA Act enforcement and tobacco-free institutions to curb tobacco use
Published on: January 17, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
A one-day orientation workshop under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was organised at the District Panchayat conference hall in Rajnandgaon, aimed at strengthening awareness and coordinated action against tobacco use.
During the workshop, participants were provided detailed information on the objectives and implementation strategies of the National Tobacco Control Programme. Special emphasis was laid on the COTPA Act, 2003, other tobacco control laws, and the concept of creating tobacco-free Gram Panchayats.
State Consultant Dr Anand Verma highlighted the need for effective inter-departmental coordination to ensure successful implementation of NTCP activities. He explained guidelines related to challan proceedings under COTPA, declaring schools as tobacco-free educational institutions, and making Gram Panchayats tobacco-free.
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District Legal Consultant Khayati Jain elaborated on the provisions of the COTPA Act, 2003, along with other existing tobacco control legislations, stressing their role in protecting public health.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Netram Navratan urged all departments to work in close coordination with the Health Department to make all schools and government offices tobacco-free. He also spoke in detail about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, underlining its impact on individual and community health.
The workshop saw the participation of District Programme Manager Sandeep Tamrakar, District Consultant Dr Niharika Topno, social worker Geetu Sahu, along with officials and staff from the Police Department, Education Department, dental practitioners, and other allied departments.
The orientation programme aimed to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and promote a collective approach towards achieving a tobacco-free society in the district.
