Workshop to spread awareness against tobacco consumption organized

GUWAHATI: A state-level workshop to spread awareness against tobacco consumption was organised in Guwahati today under the collaboration between the Internation Union against TB and Lung Diseases and the Government of Assam on Friday.

This workshop saw the presence of stakeholders from various government departments, institutions and civil society organisations. Some of them included education and police departments, State GST, ASTC, Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment, Health, NYKS, Regional Dental College, State Cancer Institute, Directorate of Assam Tourism, as well as representatives from prominent NGOs including CINI, Goonj, and Magic Bus India Foundation.

Arundhati Deka, the State Nodal Officer of STCC Assam, provided an overview of the objectives of the workshop which was followed by an in-depth discussion on the topics “Burden of Tobacco” and “Tobacco-free Educational Institution” as well as the necessary guidelines. Dr Bhaktimay Bhattacharjee, DNO of DTCC Jorhat, explained to the participants about the successful tobacco control initiatives in the Jorhat district, highlighting the innovative approach taken to achieve a “tobacco-free” panchayat at Meleng Balichapori village.

Rudhir Prakash Sarma, Divisional Coordinator of Upper Assam Division delivered the inaugural address, followed by the recitation of the state anthem by Priyanka Kakati, Divisional Coordinator. Dr Nakul Shyam, Additional Director of the Directorate of Health Services, Assam, delivered the keynote address as the chief guest for the event.

Key achievements include the launch of the tobacco monitor app, organization of State Level Coordination Committee meetings, increased number of enforcement drives, increased media visibility, regular training programs and workshops at the district and state levels, establishment of “No-tobacco zones” and “smoke-free” notifications at the district level, and a comprehensive baseline survey for 17 districts of Assam to assess compliance with the provisions of the COTPA Act 2003 were also discussed.

The Government of Assam also issued an order to implement Article 5.3 of the WHO’S Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aimed at safeguarding tobacco control policies from undue interference by the tobacco industry. This order ensures the establishment of protocols for the State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) and District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) when engaging with the tobacco industry and its representatives

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