Ganjam tops in tobacco control

Berhampur: Ganjam district has bagged the top position in the state in enforcement of tobacco control laws for the year 2021-22.
The state health and family welfare department felicitated the district administration in this regard on World No Tobacco Day on Tuesday. Uma Kant Mishra, chief district medical officer (CDMO), Ganjam, received a citation along with a memento at a function held at Bhubaneswar, organised by the department.
“During 2021-22, Ganjam district collected Rs 1.89 lakh as fine for violation of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, or the COTPA Act,” said the CDMO. “As many as 30 raids were conducted by the enforcement squad in different areas of the district during the period,” he added.
“The enforcement squad imposed fines on 1,034 people during the year on charges of violation of the COTPA Act,” additional district medical officer (public health), R Jagadeesh Patnaik, said. “The enforcement team, consisting of personnel of health, police, excise, drug inspector, food inspector and a social worker, conducted raids near the schools and other spots and fined those found smoking in public places,” he added.
Apart from enforcement, the team also spread awareness among school and college students as well as teachers about the ill-effects of consumption of tobacco products or gutkha.
“We have implemented the tobacco-free campaign in 78 schools in the district last year,” he said.