Tura, Sept 20: The West Garo Hills police have decided to crackdown on smoking in public places and enforce strict ban on sale of tobacco near schools. The Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Tura, has directed Officers-in-Charge (OCs) to impose fines for COTPA violations, highlighting the 100-yard restriction around schools to protect children.

The Superintendent of Police has also given instructions to ensure that ‘No Smoking’ signs will be henceforth installed in all conspicuous places and outside each station in compliance to COTPA Section 4.

This comes as the Superintendent of Police of West Garo Hills has expressed concern about the state’s 8,000 tobacco-related deaths yearly and urged effective COTPA enforcement.

West Garo Hills District Police, alongside the Meghalaya Government’s Health Department, have committed to take strict action against public smoking and tobacco sales within 100 yards of schools.

In line with the Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), officers and personnel of West Garo Hills District Police received comprehensive training on Wednesday from the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) in collaboration with Sambandh Health Foundation (SHF) and pledged to fight tobacco.

Dr. Siddharth K. Sangma, a Tura Christian Hospital surgeon and Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) Patron, stated that tobacco is attributable to 40% of all types of cancers and 90% of oral & lung cancers. Preventive measures such as effective implementation of COTPA, the Tobacco Free Educational Institutes program could save more lives than all Meghalaya doctors’ efforts. Meghalaya has 10 lakh (47%) tobacco users as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017 (aged 15+).

He further stated that the nicotine present in cigarettes and other tobacco products is more addictive than heroin and only less than 5% of users are able to quit. Therefore, the most effective strategy is stopping children from initiating. As per the Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, “Whoever gives, or causes to be given, to any child any intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance, except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner, shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees.”

Dr. Lana L. Nongbri, State Nodal Officer of NTCP, NHM, Meghalaya, cited the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), revealing 34% of 13-15 year old in the state use tobacco. She further urged that urgent action is needed as 5500 Indian children start using tobacco daily. On May 31, 2023 Meghalaya won the WHO Award in the Southeast Asia region for its tobacco control efforts.

The Addl. Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Tura and OCs of all PSs and personnel of West Garo Hills District Police, District Nodal Officer, NTCP along with the team (Pramod Kumar & Abhisekh Sunar) from Sambandh Health Foundation were present in the program.

Also Read: 2nd phase of Assam – Meghalaya border talks to be held in October first half: Conrad

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