Punjab has decided to conduct special enforcement drives throughout the State to remove tobacco vendors near educational institutions and enforce anti-tobacco law within the bus stands.
The decision was taken in a State level Coordination Committee (SlCC) meeting, presided over by the state Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Vini Mahajan.
Mahajan said that a coordinated effort from all departments was the essence of controlling menace of tobacco and nicotine. “It is the responsibility of every stakeholder department and civil society to create awareness about hazards of tobacco and implement anti-tobacco or nicotine laws effectively,” she said.
She informed that a meeting was held with Director General of Police regarding the issues related to tobacco control, and he assured full cooperation from the police department and also assured to conduct enforcement drives regularly.
FDA commissioner-cum-Punjab Health Secretary Hussan lal reiterated that sale of loose cigarettes, tobacco, chewable tobacco products and e-Cigarettes have already been completely banned in Punjab.
Punjab Police AIG Naveen Saini assured that Police department will ensure strict implementation of tobacco or nicotine control laws and regular monitoring in MCR meetings. He said that nodal officers have been appointed at district level.
“As suggested by DGP, special enforcement drives will be led by Police department to remove tobacco shops within 100 yards of educational institutions by August 16 and removal of violations in bus stands or stops by September 16.
Representative from the education department told that that an anti-tobacco SMS alerts through EDUSAT was sent to all the schools to raise awareness regarding tobacco.
It was discussed that all the educational institutes should declare themselves as tobacco-free institutes.
District Education Officers will ensure the mapping of tobacco vendors through head masters or principals with help of officials of local Government in first week of August and enforcement drive in rest of the month.