Several Officers from diverse departments such as School Education, Police, Higher Education, Food and Drug Administration, Drug Controller, Health attended the workshop. Participants were enlightened regarding Epidemiology of Tobacco use and overview of NTCP, including implementation of Tobacco Free Educational Institutions Guidelines and various provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003(COTPA-2003) and the Prohibition of E-Cigarettes Act (PECA2019).
Dr. Sanjay Sharma, Deputy Director Dentistry, extended a warm welcome to all attendees and encouraged them to take full advantage of this opportunity to educate themselves about their roles and responsibilities in Tobacco Control.
The Nodal Officer from the Directorate of Health Services presented the progress of the National Tobacco Control Programme in Jammu Division and a detailed presentation on ToFEI Guidelines. It was informed that the Programme has been extended to all the districts. Tobacco Cessation Centres have been set up in all District Hospitals throughout the Division, where trained Psychologists/Counsellors will assist individuals in quitting tobacco.
Further, a detailed presentation on the provisions of COTPA-2003 and PECA-2019 was presented by State Project Coordination, NTCP. The department has been organizing several sensitization programs in schools and colleges, quarterly DLCC meetings, training sessions for law enforcers, and sensitization targeting key departments to eliminate the menace of tobacco from society. Regular awareness campaigns are conducted through both print and electronic media platforms.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session where queries were addressed, and way forward were discussed. The Divisional Coordinator NTCP Jammu delivered the vote of thanks.