Srinagar, June 12: Experts who gathered for a divisional level workshop in Srinagar organized by Directorate of Health Services Kashmir on Wednesday pitched for effective implementation of Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA) in Kashmir valley.
The workshop was organized on the directions of Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, on Tobacco Control and Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) in presence of Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather.
The workshop was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr Amit Yadav, Deputy Director, Vital Strategies, Dr Abdul Rouf Bhat, Project Director, AIDS Control Society, Jammu and Kashmir
Dr Mir Mushtaq, Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) Kashmir, said there is a need to implement the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act and the department will also focus on the implementation of the Act in future.
He gave the current status of the NTCP program in the region and highlighted the ongoing efforts and future plans to curb tobacco use and its associated health risks in the valley.
At the workshop, Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, emphasized the importance of tobacco control, particularly in protecting children from its harmful influence.
“Children are the future and it is imperative to ensure they are kept away from tobacco, which is an addictive substance that can destroy their future and society,” he said.
To reinforce the role of effective tobacco control, Dr Amit Yadav, Deputy Director of Tobacco Control and Dr Majid Shafi, Nodal Officer NTCP Kashmir, delivered presentations on various provisions of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and PECA.
Their presentations gave insights of the legal frameworks and strategies necessary for robust tobacco regulation and public health safety.
Workshop was attended by Chief Medical Officers, DHOs, Medical Superintendents, and various NGOs, stakeholders from various departments committed to tobacco control and public health enhancement.
In July last year, the Centre had asked states to report on its portal information on the availability of e-cigarettes on online shopping sites and retail shops despite a ban on it since 2019.
The portal www.violation-reporting.in will help the Union Health Ministry collate information and take swift action on reported violations.
Officials said before that, the ministry had issued a public notice for stricter implementation of the Act, directing all producers, manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, advertisers and transporters not to directly or indirectly produce, import, or export e-cigarettes.
