IE DC speaks out against tobacco use
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2023: Imphal East Deputy Commissioner Khumanthem Diana has called for concerted effort to enforce tobacco control measures rigorously in the district.

A reconstitution and orientation programme of DLCC (District Level Coordination Committee), DLJEST (District Level Joint Enforcement Squad Team) and SDLJEST (Sub-Divisional Joint Enforcement Squad Team) under NTC (National Tobacco Control Programme) was held today at the conference hall at Porompat.

Speaking as the chief guest, Kh Diana highlighted the measures taken up by the Centre and State Government to regulate usage and sale of tobacco products in the country.

The Deputy Commissioner said that the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, COTPA, 2003 has already been enacted in the country.

"The Government has also been carrying out IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities from time to time besides imposing higher tax on tobacco products to discourage sale and consumption of tobacco", Diana added.

Kh Diana further stated that there is a need to conduct rigorous drives and enforce COTPA, 2003 effectively through multipronged approach and by taking every stakeholder on board to reduce the demand of tobacco products, maintaining that district administration, police, Health Society, Education Department, NGOs/CSOs, Food Safety Department and media have a huge role in this regard.

Expressing concern over the consumption of tobacco and cigarettes as a fashion by students, the Deputy Commissioner urged all concerned to take up befitting actions against the defaulter of COTPA, 2003 including those who sell tobacco products within 100 yards of school campuses.

The Deputy Commissioner continued that the role of Health Department officials in sensitizing the tobacco users to quit smoking and tobacco consumption is also very important.

She added that the DLCC, DLJEST and Sub-Divisional Joint Enforcement Squad Team of Imphal East has been reconstituted today with the involvement of many stakeholders to make a joint effort to reduce and control the consumption of tobacco products in the district.

Delivering presidential address, Imphal East SP Ksh Shivakanta cautioned that many adulterated cigarettes and tobacco products are being sold in the market to make fast and easy money.

He further stated that the authorities concerned and all sections of the society should come together and carry out an intense drive to reduce consumption and sale of tobacco products as they contain cancerous particles and are hazardous to health.

Imphal East CMO Dr L Indira Devi, Tobacco Control and Education, SYTFEO president Premjit Thokchom and NTCP, Imphal East DNO Dr N Sanjoy also attended the function.

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