Una, November 4:- Una district secured the top position in Himachal Pradesh by making 112 villages tobacco-free during the third phase of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign. Building on this achievement, the district administration has intensified efforts to bring the remaining villages into the campaign and achieve the 100 per cent target. Appreciating the efforts of the Health Department, Block Medical Officers (BMOs) and Block Development Officers (BDOs), Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination during the fourth phase of the campaign.

The Deputy Commissioner was chairing a meeting of the District-Level Coordination Committee in the NIC room of his office on Wednesday. He said that the fourth phase of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC-4.0), which commenced on October 28, will continue until December 26. During this period, all departments should work together to prevent tobacco consumption, create awareness among young people about its harmful effects and ensure compliance with tobacco control regulations.

The Deputy Commissioner directed that special Gram Sabhas be organised at the panchayat level. He said that people should be made aware of the harmful effects of tobacco, khaini, gutkha and other intoxicating substances, including chitta, through discussions during these meetings. Panchayat representatives should also be informed about the role of panchayats in tobacco control and the powers vested in them so that they can actively participate in taking this campaign forward in their villages.


Health Secretary Holds Interdepartmental Coordination Meeting Through Video Conference

Earlier, Health Secretary Ashish Singhmar held a meeting with officials of all districts through video conference from Shimla to discuss interdepartmental coordination under TFYC-4.0 and directed them to implement the campaign effectively. From Una, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal, Superintendent of Police Sachin Hiremath, Chief Medical Officer Dr. S.K. Verma, Medical Superintendent Dr. Sanjay Mankotia, Deputy Commissioner Excise Vishal Gorla, Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Manoj Kumar and officers from various departments participated. After the video conference, the Deputy Commissioner chaired a meeting of the District-Level Coordination Committee to review campaign activities and department-wise responsibilities.


Emphasis on Awareness in Educational Institutions

The Deputy Commissioner directed Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and concerned BMOs to visit colleges and organise awareness sessions with students. He emphasised educating young people about the harmful effects of tobacco and intoxicating substances and motivating them to stay away from their consumption. He also directed officials to ensure compliance with prescribed standards for tobacco-free campuses in educational institutions, organise regular awareness activities and enforce the ban on the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.

He directed all department heads to make their offices and workplaces tobacco-free. Urban local bodies were instructed to review the licences and prescribed conditions applicable to tobacco product vendors in their respective areas. The Deputy Commissioner asked the police, Excise and Taxation, Food Safety and Health Departments, along with all other concerned departments, to conduct regular inspections according to their respective responsibilities and take action as per rules in case of violations. He also stressed ensuring compliance with the ban on smoking in public places. He directed officials to seek the cooperation of non-governmental organisations and social institutions in the campaign.


Effective Action to Be Taken Under COTPA and Other Laws

Jatin Lal said that effective enforcement of tobacco control laws would also remain a major priority under the campaign. Action will be taken under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, the Himachal Pradesh Tobacco Control Act, 2016, and the provisions of food safety and standards regulations. Enforcement teams were directed to ensure a ban on the open sale of cigarettes and bidis and to take action against gutkha, khaini and similar products through Food Safety Officers. Compliance with smoking prohibition rules in hotels, restaurants and eateries, as well as provisions relating to designated smoking rooms and areas, will also be ensured.

In addition, action will be taken against hookah bars and shops selling illegal or smuggled cigarettes. Enforcement will also focus on preventing advertisements and surrogate advertisements of tobacco products and ensuring compliance with the ban on the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of Anganwadi centres. Emphasis will also be laid on installing necessary signboards to keep bus stands and bus stops smoke-free and taking action against violators. During the campaign, each district- and block-level flying squad will conduct at least the prescribed enforcement drives. Enforcement drives will also be mandatorily conducted around all educational institutions.

He said that six major areas would be covered during the 60 days of TFYC-4.0. These include public awareness activities, increasing the number of tobacco-free educational institutions, encouraging tobacco-free villages, effective enforcement of tobacco control laws, awareness through social media and participation of universities and colleges.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to regularly submit reports on activities conducted and action taken under the campaign and maintain mutual coordination so that progress towards the prescribed targets could be reviewed.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner administered the oath of 'Tobacco-Free Himachal' to the officers. Calling upon them to refrain from tobacco consumption themselves and motivate others to stay away from it, he urged every officer to connect at least ten people with the campaign.


Himachal Pradesh Achieves Best Performance in TFYC-3.0

It is noteworthy that Himachal Pradesh was honoured as the best-performing state among large states for its performance in TFYC-3.0. Against a target of 4,800, the state recorded the achievement of making 9,677 educational institutions tobacco-free, while 574 villages were declared tobacco-free against a target of 360.

Una district secured the first position in the state with 112 tobacco-free villages. During this period, the district also recorded the achievement of making 898 educational institutions tobacco-free. A total of 21 enforcement drives were conducted in the district under tobacco control measures. For violations related to smoking in public places, 692 challans were issued and a fine of Rs. 67,770 was collected. Meanwhile, eight challans were issued for violations involving the open sale of cigarettes or the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions, and a fine of Rs. 1,400 was imposed.