Enforcement officers equipped on harmful effects of tobacco and COTPA 2003
Kohima, July 12 (DIPR): A one day workshop for enforcement officers and anti-tobacco squad on harmful effects of tobacco and COTPA 2003 was held at Conclave Conference Hall, LCS Building, Kohima on July 12.
State Nodal Officer (NTCP) and Joint Director, Health & Family Welfare department, Dr. H. Hotokhu Chishi said that the workshop was important for the enforcement officers in order to equip them well informed about the harmful effects of tobacco so as to act as a role model while implementing the enforcement activities in their respective areas. Speaking as resource person on the topic “Hazards of tobacco” Dr. Hotokhu stated that tobacco is the only legal product available in the market that kills 50% of its users globally where India is the third largest producer in the world next to China and Brazil and the second largest consumer in the world next to China which leads to largest number of oral cancer in the world resulting 2200 of its population dies every day and 10 lakh of its population dies every year due to tobacco use. As per GATS 2010 released by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Hotokhu informed that Nagaland Tobacco Statistic shows an overall 57% prevalence of tobacco with 26.3% of cigarette, 11.8% of Bidi and 45.0% of smokeless. He highlighted the burdens of tobacco in term of health, economy and environment and what it offers to our body and the consequences one has to pay off and also highlighted on the district wise tobacco profile. In this regard, Dr. Hotokhu said, the Nagaland State has got advantages since there is no agriculture or job shifting problem, no production and processing industry, no tobacco support lobby and moreover a responsive community as being Christian majority.
He also added that it was not only the domain of Health & Family Welfare Department nor the District Administration but every individual to be a responsive to the cause and carry forward this problem in their respective levels for the benefit of our people and to make Nagaland a State a Tobacco Free State, Smoke Free State and Environment Free State. Legal Aid Counsel, JJB Kohima, Akumla Longchari speaking on “Tobacco Control Act (COTPA 2003) as resource person highlighted the main provisions of the Act which included prohibition of smoking in public places, prohibition of advertisement of tobacco products, prohibition on sale of product to and by minor and specific health warnings on tobacco products. On the Law dealing with ‘Smoking in public places’, she informed that Central Government or State Government may appoint one or more persons to take action against any person smoking in public places, which can be settled on the spot by the enforcement officer and further highlighted the ‘Role of Enforcement Officials’ where the notified officers could conducts surprise checks and routine inspections at restaurants, hotels, government and other public buildings and transport and if caught violating the provision a penalty amount could be imposed to the violators. She also highlighted on the other laws beside COTPA’ and various suggestions for effective implementation of the Act. Deputy Commissioner Kohima and Chairman of DLCC, Rovilatuo Mor, IAS who also spoke expressed his optimism that the members have taken serious note of it and understand clearly about the harmful effects of tobacco through this workshop. To control the harmful effects of tobacco, the DC has informed that the first steps taken by the DLCC was to make the Kohima City a Smoke Free City which was declared on April 28, 2016 followed by the guidelines and action plan laid by the DLCC for effective Implementation of Smoke free Kohima city. He therefore requested all the enforcement officers to create awareness on the guidelines and take active part and initiative in their respective areas for the successful implementation of the smoke free city and create a healthy environment with equal participation.
