The 4th round of quarterly review meeting of stakeholders in Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of SDC, Dimapur, Tarep Imchen, at DC’s conference hall, Dimapur.
Dr. Ritu Thurr, deputy CMO, Nodal Officer NTCP, Dimapur initiated the discussion by highlighting some of the ill effects of tobacco consumption on health and economy of the Naga people today.
He said Nagaland state was the second largest consumer of tobacco products next to Mizoram and added that NTCP has initiated awareness and education programmes in various schools, colleges, churches and various departments in Dimapur district to sensitize the people about the negative effects of tobacco.
“It is high time that we need to work together to combat this issue,” he added, and pointed out the need for Chalan to be issued and printed out as soon as possible by the concerned authority and its department so that training for law enforcement officers, flying squad (Anti-Tobacco Squad) and teacher in-charge of Section 6 could be trained as soon as possible.
Dr. Ritu also asked the various stakeholders in the district to continue supporting for the successful implementation of COTPA in Dimapur.
While discussing, Wati Chuchang Jamir, ASP, Dimapur, said that the police department has taken up some efforts such as mandatory placement of tobacco signage in some designated areas in the department and also suggested that enforcement of COTPA Act could be first started from district administration, police department and hospitals.
Mohamed Ali Shihab, (P), AC, Dimapur, during discussion added that well planning, implementing and timely review of the activities would make the programme more successful.
Tarep Imchen, ADC, Dimapur, who summarized the discussion, said tobacco has become a serious problem in the society today and the difficulty in fully enforcing COTPA though it was passed in 2003.
He said that the state still have 50% more to be achieved and for which he felt one has to work harder in imparting education on harmful effects of tobacco to the people in the communities.
“We should start seriously in imparting the school students about the ill effects of tobacco. School teachers and concerned authorities should play positive role in educating the children in the schools”, he added.
With regard to mandatory placement of tobacco signage in all designated areas, he urged the concerned departments and its authorities to put up signage, stickers, and posters etc., that were related to tobacco to create and sensitize the citizens.
He also divulged that hospitals, police departments and district administration offices would be a “no smoking zones” for which he requested the concerned authorities to ensure that these practice was being carried out in their premises.
The review meeting concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Mathew Dangmei, office Manager, People in Need Foundation, Dimapur.
During the meeting, discussion on mandatory placement of tobacco signage in all designated areas, implementation of COTPA Act Section 4,5,6,7, nomination of enforcement officers and their training, constitution of Flying Squad (anti-tobacco squad) and nomination of teacher in-charge of section 6 and their training were held.
The programme was facilitated by People in Need Foundation (NGO) and sponsored by the union Delhi under international union against tuberculosis and lung disease.
14 representatives from government departments and NGOs including district administration, excise department, police department, DMC, education department, health and medical department, NCTP team Dimapur, and PNF team (NGO) attended the meeting.
Programme manager, NEDHIV, Prem Kumar Singh, welcomed the participants followed by short self introductory session from the representatives of the meeting and also briefed the participants about the agendas of the meeting.
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