SHOPIAN: The District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) review meeting was held today at Mini Secretariat, Shopian to facilitate the strict enforcement of ‘Control of Tobacco Protection Act, 2003' (COTPA) and ‘National Tobacco Control Program' (NTCP) in the district.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Shishir Gupta, reviewed the measures and action taken till date towards the promotion of Tobacco free society.

Officers of the health department presented various provisions of COTPA and NTCP for awareness of the stakeholder departments. They called for the conduct of enforcement drives against smoking in the public places with focus on imposing fines against the violations.

The DC directed for ensuring strict enforcement of Tobacco Control measures especially in prohibited public places including the educational and healthcare institutions. He also discussed the modalities for making all the government institutions/high footfall areas as ‘Tobacco Free Zones' and all educational institutions as ‘Tobacco Free Educational institutions ‘ as per the guidelines.

The DC directed for displaying mandatory signages across the prominent places, denouncing use of tobacco products. He asked for strict enforcement of surrogate advertising and imposition of fines by all the departmental nodal officers against violations in their respective areas.

The members deliberated on the critical role of multi sectoral strategies and proper implementation of laws to tackle the issue comprehensively. They assured a tougher and strictest stance and enforcement from the police administration in the district towards the implementation of NTCP and COTPA.

Emphasis was given on strict enforcement of rules by the shopkeepers selling tobacco products besides installation of CCTVs in the shop premises.

ADC Shopian Dr.Zakir Hussain Faaz, district officers and nodal agencies besides other concerned officers from the district attended the meeting.