STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: The administration in South Kashmir’s Anantnag District is working overtime to initiate a drive against display of tobacco advertisements at point of sale promoting cigarette and other tobacco products in the main towns and district headquarter.
Major towns, which include Anantnag, Dooru, Qazigund, Kokernag and Verinag have been identified and different teams headed by Tehsildars and assisted by Executive Officer Municipality and SHOs concerned are visiting the markets and removing all tobacco advertisement boards at point of sale, an official of the district administration said.
He said that all the material is being seized by the squad and shopkeepers are being warned of repercussions if found offending the law in future.
Pertinently, in Anantnag town a team headed by Tehsildar Anantnag, Ghulam Rasool and a squad of Municipal Committee, Anantnag carried the drive and removed the tobacco boards at point of sale from the entrance of shops and market places. The team was assisted by police team lead by SHO Anantnag.
“It has been 13 years since 2003 now, when the Tobacco Control Act came into existence.
People now are mostly aware about its prohibitions, so it’s time to strictly implement things on ground and take action against the offenders,” Tehsildar Anantnag, Ghulam Rasool said, while maintaining that the order will be strictly enforced.
Pertinently, the order to remove tobacco advertisements has been issued in compliance with Section 5 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003.
Appreciating the efforts of the district administration, Executive Officer Municipal Committee Anantnag, Syed Tariq Rizwi, who is also part of the squad, said that they will make sure that further no advertising material is displayed within their jurisdiction and such drives will continue to check for compliances.
“The order will be strictly implemented and the drive will continue,” said Rizwi. He said that those found violating the directions will be punishable under COTPA Act.
Notably, Voluntary Health Association of India, (VHAI) has also welcomed the move initiated by the district administration.
Afzal Makhdomi, J and K Consultant for Tobacco Control, VHAI appreciated the role of administration for the promptness and seriousness shown to curtail the use of tobacco by the officials.
“It is a welcome step that the district administration is taking a keen interest in such drives as these steps will ensure the curtailed use of tobacco products among the masses,” he added.