AALO, Aug 13: West Siang DC Swetika Sachan on Tuesday instructed the tax & excise department to “cancel all ghumtis operating in different locations, indulging in sale of tobacco products.”
Speaking during a meeting of the district tobacco control cell (DTCC), the enforcement squad and HoDs to discuss steps to create tobacco-free zones in schools, hospitals and government offices, the DC stressed the need for conducting awareness campaigns and “putting up hoardings declaring ban on tobacco products in the local dialects in all locations.”
DMO Dr Moli Riba called for evolving a coordinating mechanism to implement the rule in all government institutions in the district through enforcement squads and flying squads.
Dr J Kato made a PowerPoint presentation on the campaigns under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act carried out so far in the district, and on the declaration of tobacco-free zones.
DTCC psychologist Miti Gammeng spoke on the role of civil society in checking the use of tobacco products in public places.
Yomcha, Darak and the general hospital and the town middle school here have already been declared tobacco-free zones. (DIPRO)
