JAMMU: A Divisional Level Sensitization Workshop for key Stakeholders on Tobacco Control was today organized by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Jammu in Government Hospital Gandhinagar.
The event was held under the aegis of National Tobacco Control Programme with technical support of The International Union against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease (The Union) New Delhi.
Several high ranking Officers from different Government departments like School Education, Police, Higher Education, Excise, Sales Tax, Litigation, Labour, Information, Administration, Food and Drugs, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Transport, Jammu Municipal Corporation attended the workshop. The nationally acclaimed experts from New Delhi with vast experience and knowledge in Tobacco Control, enlightened the audience regarding Health hazards, Epidemiology of Tobacco use, Challenges in Tobacco Control, including implementation of World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 5.3.
A presentation on Tobacco Vendor Licensing was given by an expert from The Union. The various provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 and the Prohibition of E-Cigarettes Act 2019 were also discussed.
It is pertinent to mention that Smoking is prohibited in all Public places, while sale of Tobacco Products to and by Minors is also not permitted and can attract a penalty which can include imprisonment.
Also, it is against the law to sell any Tobacco products within 100 yards of any Educational Institutions. Similarly, there is prohibition on advertisement, brand promotion and sponsorship of Tobacco products, both directly and indirectly. Further, displaying Pictorial Health Warnings is mandatory by law, on all Tobacco Products.
Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman, in his address, welcomed the participants and exhorted them to utilize this opportunity to aware themselves regarding their responsibilities in Tobacco Control. He specifically asked Health Officer Jammu Municipal Corporation to work on Tobacco Vendor Licensing in consultation with counterparts in other States where it is being done.
The progress of the National Tobacco Control Programme in Jammu Division was presented by the Nodal Officer from the Directorate of Health Services.
It was informed that the Programme has been extended to all the districts. Tobacco Cessation Centres have recently been established in all the District Hospitals across the Division, where trained Psychologists/ Counsellors will help people in quitting Tobacco.
The Department will be providing counselling as well as pharmacotherapy to persons wanting to quit smoking.
The department has been conducting several School and College sensitizations to empower the youth against the menace of Tobacco. Training of Law Enforcer, Health Professionals have been conducted. Awareness campaigns in print and electronic media are organized regularly.
The workshop ended with an interactive session of the audience with the experts wherein the queries were addressed and the way forward discussed.za

KR Desk