Taking a step forward in making the State “tobacco free”, Punjab Government on Monday asked the vice-chancellors of all universities, both private and Government, and also the colleges across the State to take appropriate measures in declaring these educational institutions as tobacco free. The initiative was taken by the State Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Vini Mahajan, who, in a written communiqué to the vice-chancellors and the principals of the affiliated colleges, has asked them to implement Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, firmly to make the educational institutions, university campuses and the affiliated colleges as tobacco free.
“Punjab is the first State in India to ban the sale of loose cigarettes as single sticks to dissuade consumers. A notification has also been issued in this regard and directions have been issued to enforce the ban in all districts of the State under the COTPA,” she said. Mahajan said that the Tobacco Control Cell of the state had been aggressively pursuing the agenda to bring down tobacco consumption in Punjab and banning of loose cigarettes was a step in that direction.
She has especially asked the university authorities to keep a periodic check especially on the shops or khokas near these institutions besides checking the small markets within the premises selling tobacco despite complete prohibition. “Under Section 4 of COTPA, smoking in public places is prohibited and under Section 6, tobacco selling is not allowed within 100 yards of any educational institution. This will go a long way in reducing prevalence of tobacco in the state by reducing the age of initiation,” she said.
The Director General School Education (DGSE) has also been directed to send similar directions to the entire District Education Officers to implement COTPA strictly in and around the educational institutes. The State Tobacco Control Cell’s programme officer Dr Rakesh Gupta said that in the compliance studies conducted by PGIMER’s School of Public Health in 20 districts of Punjab, compliance to Section 4 of COTPA has been found to be satisfactory in and around educational institutes.
“Because of the increased awareness in public about the anti-tobacco law, State Tobacco Control Cell and District Tobacco Control Cell have been receiving complaints about violation of COTPA and we are trying to resolve them promptly,” he added.