Una, October 13 – Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal has urged every department to fulfill its responsibility to make Una district tobacco-free. He urged all departments to work in coordination and commitment to achieve this goal. He was chairing a meeting of the District-Level Tobacco Control Coordination Committee here on Monday. The meeting reviewed the awareness activities under the 60-day "Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 3.0," which began in the district on October 9, and determined the future strategy.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that the Una District Administration aims to promote this campaign as a public awareness movement, so that the new generation can live a healthy life, free from the ill effects of tobacco.

*Collaborative efforts are essential for success*
The Deputy Commissioner stated that this is not just the mission of the Health Department, but of the entire society. He stressed the need to actively participate in the education, health, police, rural development, panchayats, municipal bodies, AYUSH, public relations departments, and other departments, as well as NGOs and youth organizations, to ensure this campaign becomes a mass movement.

*Special focus on youth awareness*
The Deputy Commissioner stated that tobacco use is a major cause of premature death and disease. It often begins at a young age, so raising awareness among youth and keeping them away from addiction is the primary goal of the campaign. He urged special attention to this.
The Deputy Commissioner also emphasized the need to make educational institutions completely tobacco-free. He said it should be ensured that tobacco products are not sold within 100 yards of educational institutions. He also urged panchayats to make concerted efforts to create "tobacco-free villages." He urged that awareness banners and notice boards be placed in panchayat houses and public places to spread the message to every household.
He urged the Anganwadi workers to accelerate the public awareness campaign at the village level. He also directed the police department to ensure enforcement under COTPA-2003 and PECA-2019.
He urged the use of all media outlets to effectively disseminate the message of building a tobacco-free society.

Take strict action against violations*
Jatin Lal directed that strict action be taken if any bar or restaurant in the district is found to be serving hookah in violation of regulations. He also directed that the Himachal Pradesh Tobacco Products Control Act, 2016, and the Prohibition of Loose Cigarettes and Beedis Act, 2016, be strictly enforced.
Additional Superintendent of Police Surendra Sharma, Chief Medical Officer Dr. S.K. Verma, District Tobacco Control Program Officer Dr. Ankit Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Una Municipal Corporation Manoj Kumar, District Program Officer ICDS Narendra Kumar, District Welfare Officer Awas Pandit, and officers and employees from various departments were present at the meeting.