KUPWARA: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kupwara, Shrikant Suse, on Friday directed officials to strengthen enforcement of tobacco control laws and set a target of declaring 100 villages in the district as tobacco-free by the end of the year.
The directions were issued during a review meeting of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, held at the District Administrative Complex here.
During the meeting, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kupwara presented a detailed review of the district’s performance under the programme, including achievements, challenges and enforcement measures undertaken under COTPA across various blocks.
Reviewing the progress, the DDC directed enforcement officers and concerned departments to intensify anti-tobacco drives and improve implementation of COTPA provisions in their respective areas.
He also instructed officers to submit monthly progress reports on enforcement activities, including challans issued under the Act, to the office of the Chief Medical Officer.
To strengthen public awareness, Suse directed installation of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material highlighting the provisions of NTCP and COTPA, along with health warnings related to tobacco use, at prominent public locations across the district.
The meeting also resolved to make all schools and colleges in the district 100 per cent tobacco-free campuses by December 2026.
Among those present were Sub-Divisional Magistrate Lolab Dr Mudasir Ahmad, Chief Medical Officer Kupwara, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Kupwara, Block Medical Officers, the Food Safety Officer and other concerned officials.