Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar has directed officials to organise more awareness programmes under the National Tobacco Control Programme to strengthen tobacco control measures across Kodagu district.
He was speaking while presiding over the district-level quarterly review meeting of the National Tobacco Control Programme held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Madikeri.
The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to organise special COTPA enforcement drives throughout the district and to formulate additional programmes for the effective implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA.
He also directed the Health Department to organise monthly health camps for civic workers in collaboration with local organisations and stressed the need to create greater public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and smoking.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Satish Kumar said extensive efforts are being made to promote tobacco-free educational institutions across the district. Â Â He stated that rallies, awareness jathas and oath-taking programmes are being organised in schools and colleges. The Health Department is coordinating with the Departments of School Education, Pre-University Education, Women and Child Development and other agencies to ensure the effective implementation of the COTPA Act.
Programme officers informed the meeting that smoking in public places is prohibited under the Act and that violators are liable to be fined.
Officials further explained that under Section 4 of COTPA, all schools, colleges, government offices and other public institutions are required to display signboards declaring the premises as tobacco-free zones.
They pointed out that selling tobacco products to persons below the age of 21 years is a punishable offence. Likewise, the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products within 100 metres of any educational institution is prohibited. Violators are liable to a fine of Rs. 1,000.
Officials informed the meeting that during April and May, enforcement teams conducted inspections at 25 locations across the district. A total of 272 cases were booked under Section 4 of the COTPA Act, and fines amounting to Rs. 45,700 were collected.
Diarrhoea prevention campaign
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Satish Kumar said that a district-wide diarrhoea prevention campaign has already been launched and will continue until July 31.
He said preventing infant mortality remains a key priority, and departments including Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development and Medical Education are working together to create awareness on preventing diarrhoea-related deaths among children below five years of age.
Special emphasis is being placed on the use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and zinc supplementation for children suffering from diarrhoea, particularly those affected by malnutrition.
He added that Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities are being intensified in coordination with the Departments of Women and Child Development, Rural Development, Jal Jeevan Mission, Panchayat Raj, Food and Civil Supplies and Education.
The District Health and Family Welfare Department has also undertaken cleanliness drives, health education programmes and the formation of mobile health teams in urban areas.
Dr. Satish Kumar said all necessary precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the spread of communicable diseases during the monsoon season. Public awareness campaigns on sanitation and hygiene are also being conducted to prevent diseases such as dengue, malaria and other seasonal infections.
From January to May, the district recorded 101 cases of typhoid, 2,961 dog-bite cases, 101 snake-bite cases, 942 cases of dysentery, 16 dengue cases, 23 cases of leptospirosis (rat fever), eight cases of acute respiratory infections, and 2,513 cases of lung-related illnesses. Officials stated that all affected persons are presently stable.
District Surgeon Dr. Nanjudaya, Programme Officers Dr. Madhusudan, Dr. Srinivas, Dr. Sanath Kumar, Dr. Anand, Dr. Yathiraju, Dr. Indudar and Dr. Anil Dhawan were present at the meeting.
