Punjab launches drive to curb tobacco use
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The Punjab authorities on Monday launched a week-long drive to eradicate tobacco use to save youngsters and youth, on the event of ‘World No Tobacco Day’.
Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu mentioned the marketing campaign was launched in all districts, and would stick with it until June 6. During the marketing campaign, all authorities and well being services can be declared as ‘Tobacco-Free’ and ‘No Tobacco Pledge’ can be taken in any respect well being services. A State-level anti-tobacco radio marketing campaign and audio announcement at bus stands had additionally been launched to unfold consciousness amongst individuals.
Mr. Sidhu mentioned all of the 22 districts within the State had been declared as tobacco-free. A complete of 739 villages had declared themselves tobacco-free. During 2020-2021, 8,177 challans have been issued towards the violators beneath the Cigarette and different Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA). Tobacco Cessation centres had been established in all districts. Free counselling companies and cessation medicines reminiscent of pill Bupropion, Nicotine gums and patches have been being offered within the centres. A complete of 10,832 tobacco customers had acquired companies at these centres in 2020-21, he added.
The Minister mentioned Punjab was a pioneer State to deal with youth by well timed ban on e-cigarettes, hookah bars and by declaring schools and universities as tobacco-free.
“Tobacco use is a major threat to public health globally. Smokeless tobacco users are prone to deadly diseases and early death; secondly users have a tendency to spit in public places, and therefore it increases health risks, especially by spreading infectious diseases like COVID-19,” he mentioned.
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