REASI: A Meeting of District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) was held under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Vishesh Mahajan today at VC Hall of DC Office Complex which focused on discussing the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) in Reasi.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted that Reasi is the only District to ban tobacco in Katra sub-division covering a radius of 8 km. DC further emphasized that we must ensure that our educational institutions are free from tobacco influence, and this begins with the implementation. He instructed authorities to ban selling of tobacco within a 100 meter radius of education institutions and asked them to issue a circular.
DC said that designated teams and authorities will challan offenders in DC Office, bus stand, health institution as tobacco use is a major public health concern that requires coordinated efforts from all sectors of society. He also highlighted that unlicensed vendors contribute significantly to the accessibility of tobacco products, especially among youth.
He said that a robust strategy for vendor licensing is crucial. "We need to involve all stakeholders, including law enforcement, health officials, and the community, to ensure compliance and reduce the availability of tobacco products" DC said. He also stressed the need for regular enforcement drives and continuous awareness campaigns at all levels to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use. The meeting was attended by Dy. SP Neeraj Padyar, CMO Mohd Ashraf Kohli, BDO Arti, ALC, DIO and officials from various departments.
