JK Police to Restrict Tobacco Advertisements at Point of Sale

KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Director General of Police, (DGP) Jammu and Kashmir, K Rajendra Kumar Tuesday directed all district police heads to restrict tobacco advertisements at the point of sales (POS) across the state.

In an order issued here, the DGP directed all district police chiefs to implement the rules related to section 5 of COTPA (restriction of tobacco advertisements at point of sale), a police spokesman said.

The copy of the order has also been marked to all IGPs including Director Police Academy, all DIGs and other senior police officers, he added.

The order issued by the DGP has asked all district heads to collate the violations for strengthening institutionalization of the mechanism and to forward the details on monthly basis to the Superintendents of Police of the Districts.

“It is once again enjoined upon all the Unit Heads of Police Organization to ensure strict implementation of the circular and make further coordinated efforts to discourage the consumption of Tobacco and its products by way of taking due cognizance of the violations of the said Act and also through other means involving social organizations and educational institutions besides, creating general awareness among the masses over the evil effects of its consumption so that this menace be eradicated from the society and the State be made ‘Tobacco free State,” the order said.

“It has also been emphasized that violation of COTPA 2003 should be incorporated as one of the agenda items in the monthly crime review meetings at the district level,” the order issued by the DGP further said.

Pertinently, the move initiated by the police is aimed at strengthening the public health measure at the district and sub-district level.

Importantly, COTPA act 2003 says that the size of the board used for the advertisement of cigarettes and any other tobacco products displayed at the entrance of a warehouse or a shop where cigarettes or any other tobacco product is offered for sale shall not exceed sixty centimeters by forty-five centimeters.

In addition the hoarding or display shall depict a warning occupying the top edge of the board in a prominent manner.

“Today’s order issued by the police is surely a people friendly measure that is highly appreciated by J&K Voluntary Health Association, VHAI and members of civil society in the state,” VHAI said in response to the order.

Interestingly, under the COTPA act many states in India have taken effective steps for prohibition on smoking in public spaces, prohibition on all forms of direct and indirect advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, besides prohibition on sale of tobacco products to minors and within a radius of 100 yards of educational institutions and mandatory depiction of specified health warnings on all tobacco products.

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