YUPIA : The District-Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) on Monday reviewed the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act, 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, at a meeting held in the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall here.
The meeting was chaired by Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Hage Mamu, who stressed the need for stronger enforcement of tobacco control laws across the district.
She directed District Nodal Officer for NTCP and COTPA Dr Lobsang Chuki to notify authorised officers empowered to enforce Section 4 of the COTPA Act, enabling them to impose and collect fines for smoking in public places. She also instructed that the list of authorised officers, along with their contact details, be made public to facilitate reporting of violations by citizens.
Emphasising the importance of awareness, the DC called for intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns through educational institutions, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Bazaar Welfare Committees and other stakeholders to ensure tobacco control messages reach the grassroots.
Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Taru Gusar suggested installing COTPA signages at prominent public places and conducting regular enforcement drives and inspections to ensure effective implementation of the law and discourage tobacco use.
Earlier, Dr Chuki briefed the committee on the operational guidelines for law enforcement agencies under the NTCP and highlighted the objectives of the programme, the responsibilities of the DLCC and the provisions of Sections 4, 6 and 7 of the COTPA Act.
She informed the meeting that tobacco use claims more than 1.3 million lives annually in India—around 3,500 deaths every day—and highlighted the services available at the Tobacco Cessation Centre (TCC) at Community Health Centre, Doimukh, which provides counselling and nicotine replacement therapy to help users quit tobacco.
Representatives of educational institutions sought support in the form of resource persons for awareness programmes, while members of Bazaar Welfare Committees assured full cooperation in implementing tobacco control measures across the district.
During the programme, Tobacco Cessation Centre Psychologist Lopa Kena demonstrated the use of nicotine replacement therapy, including nicotine gums and patches. The meeting concluded with the Deputy Commissioner administering the No Tobacco Pledge to all participants.
Representatives from schools and colleges, Government Degree College Doimukh, Bazaar Welfare Committees and various government departments attended the meeting. (DIPR)
