The Punjab Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for the control of tobacco and nicotine in the State.
Punjab Principal Secretary, Health, Vini Mahajan while presiding over a state level coordination committee meeting on Tuesday said that necessary instructions have been sent to the officers at the district levels to ensure implementation of the Punjab Tobacco Vends Fees Act & Punjab Street Vendors Scheme strictly in Punjab to limit the number of tobacco vendors and reduce the availability of tobacco to children and youth.
Commissioner FDA cum Secretary Health Punjab, Hussan lal and Dr Usha Bansal, Director Family Welfare, representatives of various stakeholder Departments, Deputy Commissioners and NGOs were present during the meeting.
Representatives from the Finance Department assured that VAT would be increased on all tobacco products including bidis to make them unaffordable for children and poor to reduce prevalence.
Vini Mahajan said that a coordinated effort from all departments was the essence of controlling the menace of tobacco and nicotine.