Chandigarh, 31st. May, 2013:(Bharatsandesh news): Punjab Government today formally declared SHAHEED BHAGHAT SINGH NAGAR, GURDASPUR & FATEHGARH SAHIB AS"TOBACCO SMOKE FREE" DISTRICTS. A decision to this effect was taken by Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab Sh.Madan Mohan Mittal on on the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day, 31st May 2013. State Tobacco Control Cell in Punjab and District Administration of these districts made consistent efforts in this regard. School of Public Health PGIMER, Chandigarh was entrusted the task of conducting a Compliance survey and Opinion poll to verify the compliance of COTPA Act, 2003 (Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act) in these districts. School of Public Health, PGI has in its report concluded that, there is absence of active smoking and presence of No Smoking signage’s at most of the public places in these districts.
Dr. Ashok Nayyar , Director Health & Family Welfare , Punjab disclosed that this study paved the way for officially declaring these districts as the "Tobacco Smoke Free" district of Punjab in line with District Ajitgarh, Mansa, Rupnagar & Amritsar which have already been declared as “Tobacco Smoke Free” Districts of Punjab.
According to Dr Rakesh Kumar Gupta, State Program Officer, Tobacco Control Cell, Punjab, consistent efforts are being made to make entire Punjab "Smoke Free " .
It is mentionable here that Government had already issued instructions to all the departments in the State for strict implementation of the COTPA 2003. Health Minister Sh. Madan Mohan Mittal has also requested Sh. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister that Children & youth in all Educational Institutes in the State should take Anti Tobacco pledge.
Dr. Ashok Nayyar , Director Health & Family Welfare , Punjab said that students in in all Educational Institutes in the State took Anti Tobacco pledge, regarding which the reports are being received. Exhibitions were also held at district & block Level for awareness among general public and people were informed regarding importance of this day & taking of Anti Tobacco Pledge by students through radio/T.V & newspapers. He also appealed public that they should co-operate in making entire Punjab Tobacco Smoke free