STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Various agencies including tourism players in Jammu and Kashmir have been roped in by Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) for a 10-day drive aimed at creating awareness about the ill effects of tobacco use.
“The anti-tobacco drive initiated since 31st December, 2015 will continue till the end of this week with various tourism players and Tourist Police playing a vital part in the initiative,” a VHAI spokesman said here today.
He said various tourism players including, the Kashmir House Boat Owners Association (KHBOA)-consisting of house boat owners from Dal, Nigeen, Chinarbagh, Chaunth Kul and Jehlum River — with a reach of around 960 houseboats were roped in to be part of this campaign.
“Kashmir Shikara and Taxi Owners Association based around Dal lake with a reach of around 1,900 Shikaras and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurants Association (KHARA) with around 1,200-strong outlets across Kashmir Valley are also playing a key role to make this drive a success,” he said.
The spokesman said the participating associations provided ‘No Smoking’ stickers to their members to be displayed at prominent places in their premises.
Booklets on Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 produced by the VHAI were also shared with unit managers.
During the drive, the associations will impart unit-to-unit awareness to their members against the use of tobacco in their premises and to stop promoting use of tobacco products through signages and hoardings, the spokesman added.
He said various Anti-Tobacco Drive Squads were formulated which comprised of two members from each association, a VHAI member, a photo journalist and a team of Tourism Police.
A team headed by Station House Officer Tourist Reception Centre, Suhail Ahmad also visited various hotels, restaurants and house boats and issued Challans on the spot to more than a dozen offenders.
General Secretary KHBOA, Abdul Rashid Kaloo, appreciated the effort of bringing together all elements to battle the menace of smoking. Kaloo suggested roping in student volunteers for achieving a wider reach so that such activities prove beneficial in future also.
