Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Punjab Government today issued strict instructions to all deputy commissioners to immediately cancel the license of all those hotels restaurants and commercial institutions that are found violating Cigarettes and other tobacco products Act (COTPA-2003)
According to a communiqué issued by Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal to all Deputy Commissioners and Heads of Departments, The Chief Secretary pointed out that smoking especially passive smoking was dangerous to health and government has already declared 18 districts as smoke free and was in process of making total Punjab Smoke Free within next 3 months. He said that it was matter of great regret that 12% population of Punjab still consumes tobacco in one or other form. He said that every Deputy Commissioners was duty bound to enforce all previsions of COTPA and submit a monthly report to the Chief Secretary. Emphasising on strict implementation of COTPA the Chief Secretary said that all enforcement and counselling departments especially Police, Education, Local Government, Transport and Excise and Taxation have to act in unison to enforce COTPA and DCs would ensure synergy in their cooperation for enforcing the act in its true spirits.
Issuing instruction all HODs and Local Bodies Department to put up sine ages indicating ban on smoking in public places and other important places, the chief secretary said that the government would take strict action against those found lax in enforcement of COTPA.
Issuing instructions to all departments to enforce ban on e cigarette and other tobacco products including flavoured tobacco the chief secretary pointed out that field units have to keep an eye on unscrupulous sale of e cigarette especially by e commerce companies.
Asking Deputy Commissioners to constitute permanent district and block level task forces the Chief Secretary said that the DCs must involve NGOs and Religious Bodies in enforcement of COTPA in their respective districts.
Besides all DCs, HODs, a copy of this communiqué also sent to all police commissioners and SSPs of the districts.
