Police to take action as per COTPA

SHILLONG, MAR 23: East Khasi Hills police officers were given training on Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) imparted by the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP), Department of Health in collaboration with Sambandh Health Foundation (SHF) on Tuesday.

Consuming tobacco in any form has led to 8,000 deaths every year in the state from tobacco-related diseases. Tobacco is a crime against humanity, SP Sylvester Nongtnger said in a statement here.

“Many thanks to the Department of Health for training our Os/C on enforcing violations of COTPA. As per Section 6(b) of COTPA, there should be no sale of tobacco within 100 yards (300 feet) of any educational institution,” he said.

He informed that the East Khasi Hills police along with the Department of Health will be taking strict action against people smoking in public places or selling tobacco within 100 yards of Schools and Colleges.

As per Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, “Whoever gives, or causes to be given, to any child any intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance, except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner, shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees.”

All Police Stations have been asked to install ‘No Smoking’ signages. Section 4 of COTPA prohibits smoking in public places.

The State Nodal Officer, NTCP, NHM, Government of Meghalaya, Dr Lana L Nongbri said, “As per the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), 33.6% of 13-15 year olds are tobacco consumers in the state. The Departments of Health & Education, Government of Meghalaya are running the Tobacco Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) program in all districts to reduce its prevalence in the state.

Assistant Professor NEIGHRIMS, Shillong & the Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) Patron, Dr Caleb Harris said that tobacco is responsible for 40% of all types of cancers, 90% oral and lung cancers are attributable to tobacco. The number of cancer patients is increasing in hospitals and these are younger victims than before. He further added that  Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products have nicotine in them, which is more addictive than heroin. Less than 5% of people are able to quit. Therefore, the best strategy is to stop the initiation in children. It becomes the responsibility of Police Officers to implement the law to curb the use of tobacco products, so that children and the youth are saved.

In Meghalaya, 25 lakh (47%) people use tobacco products in some form. Daily, 14 children  are initiated with tobacco use in Meghalaya, while in India, 5500 children are initiated every day. Every year 8,000 people in Meghalaya die due to tobacco-related diseases. The numbers are alarming and it is vital to stop children from consuming tobacco.

By Our Reporter