Kangpokpi: Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi, Kengoo Zuringla, Wednesday chaired the District Level Co-ordination Committee (DLCC) review meeting on National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) held at Conference Hall, DC Office Complex, organised by the District Health Society, Kangpokpi.
Stating that it is the responsibility of everyone to maintain the sanctity of the DC Office Complex, she said that it is time to look for the enforcement of the guidelines under the programme starting from the office premises, mainly the display of sign boards and picture boards.
Further, she said the focus should also be on shops and educational institutions regarding the enforcement of the guidelines of the programme to save the lives of the people. Asking the ZEO and others to think about the implementation process, she opined that if teachers can help raise awareness among the students, it can have a great impact on society. She also said the CEO, SHADC, can look for the enforcement of the guidelines at the commercial shops.
During the review meeting, experts gave a PowerPoint presentation on the National Tobacco Control Program’s activities and spoke at length about a variety of topics, including who is authorised to take action against violations of various sections.
State Consultant, NTCP Manipur, SM Monkhoom, said that Dailong village in Tamenglong district has been declared a tobacco-free zone. He also spoke about the NTCP and its components. Further, he guided the attendees of the meeting regarding the collection of fines and the issuance of challans.
Premjit Thokchom, co-founder and president, of Tobacco Control/Education, Sangai Youth Tobacco Free and Educational Organization, spoke on the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act, 2003, or COTPA.
He said Manipur has 55.1 percent tobacco users as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) survey conducted in 2016–17, which is the 3rd highest in the country. As per the survey report, the prevalence of tobacco use is highest in Tripura (64.5%), followed by Mizoram (58.7%), he added.
Further, he spoke on the main provisions under the COTPA, especially focusing on Section 4: prohibition of smoking in public places, Section 5: prohibition of advertisement, sponsorship, and promotion of tobacco products, Section 6: prohibition of sale of tobacco products to minors; and Section 7: restriction of trade & commerce and production, supply, and distribution of tobacco products, including pictorial depictions of health warnings.
