By Punjabnewswire4u
CHANDIGARH, MAY 31
The Punjab Government today formally declared Shaheed Bhaghat Singh Nagar, Gurdaspur & Fatehgarh Sahib as"Tobacco
Smoke Free" Districts. A
decision to this effect was taken by Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab
Sh.Madan Mohan Mittal on on the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day, 31st
May 2013. State Tobacco Control Cell in Punjab and District
Administration of these districts made consistent efforts in this regard.
School of Public Health PGIMER, Chandigarh was entrusted the task of conducting
a Compliance survey and Opinion poll to verify the compliance of COTPA Act,
2003 (Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act) in these districts. School
of Public Health, PGI has in its report concluded that, there is absence of
active smoking and presence of No Smoking signage’s at most of the public
places in these districts.
Dr. Ashok Nayyar
, Director Health & Family Welfare , Punjab disclosed that this study paved
the way for officially declaring these districts as the "Tobacco Smoke Free"
district of Punjab in line with District Ajitgarh, Mansa, Rupnagar &
Amritsar which have already been declared as “Tobacco Smoke Free”
Districts of Punjab.
According to Dr
Rakesh Kumar Gupta, State Program Officer, Tobacco Control Cell, Punjab, consistent efforts
are being made to make entire Punjab "Smoke Free " .
It is mentionable
here that Government had already issued instructions to all the departments in
the State for strict implementation of the COTPA 2003. Health Minister Sh.
Madan Mohan Mittal has also requested Sh. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education
Minister that Children & youth in all Educational Institutes in the State
should take Anti Tobacco pledge.
Dr. Ashok Nayyar
, Director Health & Family Welfare , Punjab said that students in in all Educational
Institutes in the State took Anti Tobacco pledge, regarding which the reports
are being received. Exhibitions were also held at district & block Level
for awareness among general public and people were informed regarding
importance of this day & taking of Anti Tobacco Pledge by students through
radio/T.V & newspapers. He also appealed public that they should co-operate
in making entire Punjab Tobacco Smoke free.
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