Tobacco Control Workshop Conducted at PHC Boothgarh Focus on Legal and Technical Provisions of COTPA

Office of District Public Relations Officer, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar

Tobacco Control Workshop Conducted at PHC Boothgarh
Focus on Legal and Technical Provisions of COTPA

Majri (Kharar), September 16:
A one-day tobacco control workshop was held at Primary Health Center Boothgarh, led by Senior Medical Officer Dr. Alkjot Kaur. The event was attended by Block Extension Educators, Community Health Officers, and Health Supervisors.

Organized by the Health Department in partnership with Generation Savior Association, the workshop featured presentations by Advocate Gurpreet Singh and Advocate Gagan. They provided detailed insights into the technical and legal provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA). The experts explained that the law was established to regulate the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of tobacco products in India. It prohibits smoking in public areas and restricts tobacco advertising. The law also forbids the sale of tobacco products to minors and prohibits their sale within 100 yards of educational institutions.

The advocates further clarified that the law does not completely ban the sale or use of tobacco products but ensures that such activities comply with the provisions of COTPA. Violations of the law are punishable by fines and other penalties. They highlighted that investigations often reveal that tobacco products are being sold alongside food and beverages, which is against the law. Additionally, imported cigarettes, flavored tobacco, and loose cigarettes are often sold without proper warning labels, constituting further violations.

The session emphasized that enforcement actions such as issuing fines are not aimed at penalizing shopkeepers unnecessarily but at ensuring compliance with the law and raising public awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use. The joint teams from the Health Department and other authorities not only take corrective actions but also educate the public and vendors about tobacco control regulations.

Photo caption: Scenes from the tobacco control workshop.

Let me know if you want it to be more formal, conversational, or tailored for a press release or social media.

Advertising Space