Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Sale of E-cigarette banned throughout the state
* All DCs & SSP’s instructed to impose Tabacco control act strictly
Chandigarh,he Punjab government today issued a notification banning the sale of flavoured tobacco throughout the state with immediate effect. By another notification, the Punjab government also imposed complete ban on sale of e-cigarettes throughout the state.
Reviewing the implementation of measures undertaken to control tobacco in a state level coordination committee meeting, Mr Hussan Lal, secretary, Health, said that these measures have been taken as various firms were bypassing tobacco control act by selling flavoured and scented tobacco in the state. He said that state government received the feedback that there was increasing sale of e-cigarettes and now notification has been issued for banning e-cigarette under Drugs and Cosmetics Act and any commercial institution including e-commerce companies can be booked under this act for selling e-cigarettes.
He said that ban of nicotine in chemical form in e-cigarettes has been prohibited and all districts have been issued advisory to strictly implement cigarettes and other tobacco product act 2003 with iron hand.
Expressing concern over sale of cigarettes near educational institutions especially colleges and coaching institutes, Mr. Hussan Lal directed all DC’s and education department to strictly impose the ban on sale of tobacco within 200 meters of education institutions and anybody violating that would be dealt with strictly.
Seeking the cooperation of Deputy Commissioners in banning cigarettes in loose form, the health secretary said that the sale of cigarette in single sticks has been banned by the union government to discourage habit formation in teenagers and it was imperative for deputy commissioners to enforce the ban.
He asked deputy commissioners to seek the help the NGOs to strictly impose COTPA Act and enforce smoking in the public places strictly.
Asking police authorities to launch state-wide ban and enforce COTPA Act, Mr. Hussan Lal said that Punjab has to emerge as first smoke free- state in next three months.
Showing concern over increasing addiction to tobacco and tobacco products, Mr. Hussan Lal said that 90% oral cancer cases were just because of chewing tobacco and everyday 2,200 Indians die because of tobacco addiction. He said that it was matter of great concern that 12% population of Punjab consumes tobacco in any form and this has to be checked strictly. He also sought cooperation of social welfare department to launch special drive for de-addiction of tobacco besides de-addiction of drugs. All deputy commissioners were asked to organize counseling camps to help people to leave smoking.
Asking all departments to display no smoking area signages in all public places, Mr. Hussan Lal said that collective will of the people and the government would make no tobacco campaign a great success.
All heads of departments and deputy commissioners participated in the meeting.
