SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 7: Godda district became the first ‘smoke-free’ district of the Santhal Pargana division.
Godda Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bhor Singh Yadav on Thursday declared Godda district smoke-free and directed the officials to work for complete control on the use of tobacco products.
At the meeting of the District Tobacco Control Consultative Committee (DTCCC) held at collectore, DC Bhor Singh Yadav along with other officials signed on ‘Smoke-Free District’ declaration form and appealed to people to help in keeping it intact.
“I thank the people, social organization, educational institutions, technical support partners of state government SEEDS, health department, police department and officials of tobacco control programme in declaring Godda smoke free district,” said the DC.
Godda is the 9th smoke-free district of Jharkhand. The other eight districts are Ranchi, Khuti, Jamshedpur, Saraikela, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Hazaribagh and Ramgarh.
DC Bhor Singh Yadav on the occasion resolved to make Godda a tobacco-free district. He also directed to launch of a joint campaign of district administration and police against the violators of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 in the district.
Under this act, selling tobacco products in public places will invite a monetary fine. In the case of selling tobacco products to children or adults, there would be a fine of Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment of 7 years.
SDM cum nodal officer Rituraj said that the people’s efforts have made Godda smoke-free and now we will have to work for making the district tobacco-free.
On the occasion, Dipak Mishra, SEEDS executive director, said that a district is declared ‘smoke-free’ on the basis of the survey conducted by the State Health Mission over the implementation of different Sections of COTPA 2003.
“It is encouraging that Godda has become a smoke-free district but more work has been done in this regard. At least we expect district administration to ensure 100% implementation of different Sections of COTPA for the success of tobacco control programme,” said Dipak Mishra.
Civil surgeon Dr Anant Kumar Jha on the occasion informed about the aim of the tobacco control programme and measures initiated for making the district smoke-free.
