State Level Workshop
Chandigarh, September 26, 2016: A State Level Sensitization Workshop for Policy makers,High Level Officials and civil society of Punjab was organized by State Tobacco Control Cell, Punjab at the State Institute of Health & Family Welfare Mohali under the chairmenship of Sh.Hussanlal, Commissioner, Food and Drug administration, Govt. of Punjab.
Director Health Services, Punjab Dr.H.S.Bali said that the objective of State Level technical Sensitization Workshop was to sensitize the policy makers,high level officials and other stakeholder to make collaborative efforts for making Punjab, atobacco Free State.He discussed about ill effects of tobacco consumption and present status of tobacco control in Punjab. He gave emphasis on the role of civil society, various departments like Legal meteorology, Excise and taxation,Police department and suggested to work with intersectoral collaboration.
Sh. HussanLaltold about the latest Supreme Court directions on the implementation of ban on manufacturing and sale of chewable tobacco.He said that all the required measures will be taken to firmly implement the supreme court directions regarding the ban on the sales of gutkha, and pan masala(without tobacco) with flavored chewing tobacco in separate sachets but often conjoint and sold together by the same vendors from the same premises.He said that the whole purpose of the workshop is to sensitize various departments to work in unison to implement, Tobacco Control laws, FSSA, Drugs and Cosmetics Act in better way. He also elaborated that Punjab is the first state anywhere in the world where court has convicted a violator for the sale of E cigarettes under Drugs and Cosmetic act.
Dr.Rakesh Gupta State Programme Officer State Tobacco Control Cell, talked about the various laws and provisions related to tobacco control.Now the main focus is on the implementation of the ban on the sale of gutkha, the manufacturers are selling pan masala (without tobacco) with flavored chewing tobacco in separate sachets.He also emphasized on the tobacco free educational institutes for saving the future generation. He told that that mapping of Tobacco vendors within the 100 yards from the school was done in all the Districts in the month of August for making all the schools tobacco free.He stated that notices have beenissuedto various e-commerce portals for allegedly violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by selling e-cigarettes.
A.I.G Crime, Punjab Police Mr. Naveen Sainisaid about work done by the Police department regarding the tobacco control in Punjab. He told the 872 challans were issued under Cigarettes and other tobacco products act by the police department. Regular review of COTPA implementation in the MCR (monthly crime review) meetings will be done by the Police department.
Dr. PraladDuggal , Voice of Tobacco Victims told that the main aim of their campaign is to bring victims face to face with policy makers so that the vigorous laws can be enacted to save the future and give them tobacco free environment.
Representatives from NGOs, SNEHA andGSA elaborated the role of civil society for better implementation of Anti-tobacco laws.