NT Reporter
Panaji
Strict enforcement of tobacco control laws in casinos and nightclubs, declaration of major railway stations as tobacco-free, implementation of Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 in colleges, and stronger action against e-cigarettes were among key decisions taken at a recent meeting of the District Level Co-ordination Committee for Tobacco Control (DLCC) in North Goa.
The committee resolved to enforce provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, in all offshore and onshore casinos. It was also decided to strictly implement COTPA regulations in all listed nightclubs across North Goa.
As part of awareness initiatives, the committee decided to make Karmali, Tivim and Pernem railway stations tobacco-free. The Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0 will be implemented in all colleges in North Goa to sensitise students about tobacco-related issues.
Members also resolved to conduct awareness programmes on the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) to ensure effective enforcement against e-cigarettes. Strict implementation of Section 6(a) of COTPA, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, will be carried out in the vicinity of all higher secondary schools in North Goa.
The committee also decided to mobilise participation for the 8th Goa Anti-Tobacco Film Festival and involve Tobacco Control Committees of schools and higher secondary schools in observing World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
The meeting was chaired by Additional Collector (I) Gurudas Desai and attended by Dr Nandita Nadkarni, member secretary; Dr Sunita Arlekar, health officer, UHC Panaji; Roland Martins, co-ordinator, GOACAN; Yash Mishra, Commandant, Railway Protection Force; and Dr Gervasio Mendes from the Directorate of Higher Education, among others.
