Govt pushes for tobacco control laws in state

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 3

The J&K Government has instructed told officials of the Transport Department to effectively implement tobacco control laws in public transport buses and bus stands across the state.

Subsequently, officials of the state Transport Department have directed the subordinate staff to take necessary steps for making public places like bus stands, commercial vehicles and all public conveyances, including transport offices ‘No Smoking Areas and Zones’.

“All officials are directed to implement Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) in the department and to strictly enforce anti-tobacco laws in the public transport system of the state,” a department order stated.

Pertinently, officials have been authorised under the COTPA to fine smokers in public conveyances.

“The violations can attract a fine of up to Rs 200,” the order stated, adding that ‘No Smoking’ signages of 60x30 cm should be displayed in all public vehicles at a prominent place as mandated by section - 4 of the Act.

Directions have also been issued to ensure that there are no direct and indirect advertisements, sponsorship of tobacco products on public conveyances as mandated by section - 5 of the COTPA.

“The compliance report on the action-taken by the designated officer by the end of every month should be forwarded to the Transport Department’s office. The Transport Commissioner is also requested to direct all the transport unions registered with the department to distribute stickers depicting ‘No Smoking Areas’ and this should be a binding on them,” the order said.

Notably, the J&K Voluntary Health Association, a non-profit organisation, working in the field of tobacco-control in the state had initiated an advocacy campaign along with the Transport Department to ensure that the public transport system in the state was made tobacco-free.

The COTPA enacted in 2003 and applicable to the entire country is aimed to discourage consumption of tobacco products through progressive restrictions and to protect non-smokers from passive smoking.

Interestingly, 26.6 per cent population in Jammu & Kashmir uses tobacco products in one or the other form.

Twelve per cent population in J&K smokes cigarettes, 3.8 per cent smoke bidis and 8 per cent use smokeless tobacco products.

J&K’s cigarette use prevalence (12 per cent) is almost double the nationwide prevalence of 5.7 per cent.

The highest proportion of adults (67.9 per cent) exposed to tobacco smoke in offices is in J&K and the lowest (15.4 per cent) in Chandigarh.