Jharkhand: Deoghar admin directs crackdown on anti-tobacco rule violators

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, Jan 30: The Deoghar district administration has directed an immediate crackdown on COTPA violators and ensure the removal of shops selling tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.

COTPA Act

Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) Kumar Tarachand while presiding the District Tobacco Control Coordination Cell (DTCCC) gave strict orders to three-level flying squads to book at least 10 people on the spot while violating the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act (COTPA) 2003.

Under the COTPA Act 2003, smoking in public places is banned. The DTCCC meeting was jointly organized by the District Cell and Socio-Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS) at Vikash Bhawan.

“Use of tobacco products not only impacts health but also hits financial position hard. By preventing the use of tobacco we will not only be able to save the lives of people but also protect their financial loss,” said DDC Kumar Tarachand.

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DDC directs immediate raids

The DDC asked the flying squads to conduct a raid immediately, book at least 10 violators at different spots and get tobacco-selling shops near educational institutions removed. “For saving future generations from tobacco we will have to work jointly,” he said.

SEEDS programme coordinator Rimpal Jha on the occasion informed about different Sections of COTPA. And steps that have been initiated by the state government to control the use of tobacco.

Deoghar Civil Surgeon Dr Ranjan Sinha, who is also secretary of DTCCC, informed about the action being taken in the district for controlling the use of tobacco and action against violators of COTPA.

Town Commissioner Yogendra Prasad, public relations officer Rohit Vidyarthi and district vector-borne diseases officer (VBDO) Dr Ganesh Kumar also addressed the meeting.