J-K forms panel for implementation of tobacco control programme

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday set up an apex-level coordination committee for implementation of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) and provisions of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in the Union Territory.

The 16-member panel would be headed by the Chief Secretary or his nominee and would include civil society organizations working on health or tobacco control or their nominee, an order issued by General Administration Department said.

The order, issued by Additional Secretary to the Government Subash Chhibber, said the terms of reference of the committee include implementation of NTCP, monitoring of COTPA and information, education and communication activities programmes.

Coordination with Panchayati Raj Institutions for village-level activities, training of enforcement officers, Non-Governmental Organisations, health and social workers and school teachers and setting up and strengthening of cessation facilities are the other terms of reference of the committee.

The members of the committee include administrative secretaries of various departments, commissioner food and drug administration, representatives from the department of Railways and districts magistrates of Jammu and Srinagar.