A massive rally will be taken out on International No-Tobacco Day on May 31 in Bhopal. The campaign has been launched by the State Government for effective implementation of Tobacco Control Act through various Government departments and voluntary organisations to make people aware about harms of tobacco consumption.

 A workshop in this regard was held at Bhopal on February 4, 2014 in the presence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Health Minister Dr Narottam Mishra. Important recommendations were made at the workshop including making all educational institutions tobacco-free, directive by the Home Department to all SPs to effectively implement Tobacco Control Act, labour Department’s directive against tobacco consumption in

all factories, Transport Department’s directive to write anti-tobacco slogans on all public transport vehicles, directive to Urban Administration and Development Department to incorporate compliance of Sections 4 and 6 of Tobacco Control Act, while giving permission of restaurants etc. Concerning departments have swung into action in this regard.

 In order to control consumption of tobacco, initiative has been taken to constitute a state level coordination committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and high-level committee of departmental ministers to increase inter-department coordination for tobacco control.

Detailed directives have been issued by Commissioner Food Safety and Controller Food and Drug Administration to prevent violation of sections 4, 5 and 6 of Tobacco Control Act. Government of India has banned smoking at all public places under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act to save people from ill effects

of tobacco.

Upto Rs200 fine is provisioned under the Act. Tobacco product’s direct and indirect advertisements have also been banned under section 5 of the Act including schemes to promote tobacco products, distribution of free samples and sale of any other product in the name of a tobacco brand.

 Principal Secretary Health Praveer Krishna chaired a meeting at Mantralaya here today to review preparations for a massive rally to be taken out on International No-Tobacco Day on May 31.

The meeting was informed that rally will originate at 6.30 am from Chinar Park on main road number 1 in Bhopal and return here after passing through Vyapam Chauraha, Bhopal Haat Chauraha, DB Mall Chauraha and Board Office Chauraha.

An awareness vehicle accompanying the rally will tell people about harms of tobacco consumption. Students, health workers and members of various institutions will create anti-tobacco awareness among people through slogans and posters.