Convener News Desk
Budgam, June 12 : Health Society Budgam on Fridau launched a comprehensive enforcement and awareness drive under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 in the villages of Iskanderpora, Ichama, and Pirpora of Medical Block Beerwah.
An official spokesperson said the drice was launched under the supervision of Chief Medical Officer, Budgam.
He said the initiative aimed to curb public tobacco consumption and reinforce compliance with anti-tobacco laws.
The drive focused on three key objectives viz a viz Strict enforcement of Section 4 of COTPA (prohibiting smoking in public places), Restricting tobacco sales near educational institutions (Section 6) and Ensuring mandatory display of statutory warnings at shops and public points.
Health teams on the occasion inspected markets, shops, and public spaces, distributing awareness materials and counseling violators.
Three challans were issued to individuals caught smoking in public, with fines levied as per COTPA provisions. Shopkeepers were sternly warned against unlicensed sales and non-compliance with signage rules.
Spokesperson said this drive reflects our commitment to safeguarding community health. “We urge citizens to cooperate in creating a tobacco-free Budgam,”said Imtiyaz Ali, team member.
The campaign concluded with strong stakeholder support, paving the way for similar drives across the district in the coming weeks.
The District Health Society, Budgam, reaffirmed its routinely conducting COTPA enforcements to reduce tobacco-related harms, aligning with the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP).
