Issuing strict instructions to act tough against the offenders under anti-tobacco laws, the Punjab Government has decided to include the action taken report about the compliance of anti-tobacco laws in to the monthly crime report of the State police.
Besides, the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra on Friday directed the nominated Nodal Officers of Police Department — that is the Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) — to take stern action against the offenders under anti-tobacco laws.
The decisions were taken during the meeting of Punjab State Tobacco Control Cell with the State Police Department to review the implementation of anti-tobacco laws and to discuss the road map and set target.
Mohindra said the Police officials are important stakeholders for the effective implementation of anti tobacco laws across the state. “Now, the Health Department will work in close collaboration with the Police Department to curb the sale of tobacco products to the minors. It is shocking that in Punjab, around 80 people die every day because of tobacco consumption,” he said.
Punjab Bureau of Investigation’s director Prabodh Kumar said that the Police Department is now going to include the action taken report regarding the compliance of anti tobacco laws in the monthly crime report that is submitted to the Police headquarter.
“To achieve set target, recommended by the Health Department, a special training was imparted to the nodal officers to book repeat offenders and shopkeepers who sell tobacco and other banned products to the minors under Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA 2003).
In March this year, the Vidhan Sabha has passed a bill to permanently ban the Hookah or Hookah bars in the State. Kumar assured the Health Minister that no laxity will be tolerated in this regard and strict action would be taken against hookah bars and restaurants where tobacco products are being served along with food items.
He said the multiple stakeholder department engagement is a key factor to implement anti tobacco laws in the State.
The Union, South East Asia’s Deputy Regional Director Dr Rana J Singh apprised that Punjab still has 28 lakh people who were using tobacco.
Punjab Tobacco Control Cell’s state nodal officer Dr Areet Kaur said that Tobacco Cessation Centers have been established in 10 districts of Punjab, while total 626 villages have been declared as “tobacco-free” after passing the resolution by Panchayats.