Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 3: Zonal Police Headquarters today organized one day workshop on “Tobacco control” in collaboration with the Voluntary Health Association of India under the supervision of IGP Jammu zone Dilbag Singh.
The workshop was attended by the 45 officers including Zonal SPs of Jammu district, Probationary DySPs besides SHOs of different police stations of Jammu Province.
The inaugural address was given by the N.C. Prabhakar, who is Liaison Officer with Voluntary Health Association of India. In his address, he stated that India is the second largest producer of tobacco in the world and third largest consumers after China and USA. He also narrated the role of Voluntary Health Association of India in making a tobacco free environment in the country. .
In this workshop, five guest speakers delivered lecture on different aspects of tobacco control. The experts during the deliberations sensitized the participants about the ill-effects of tobacco on health, its socio-economic effects and various laws and legal aspects of tobacco control.
Dr. V.P. Sharma, Dy. Director Health Services Jammu stated that high prevalence of tobacco consumption is leading to epidemic propagation of cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness etc. Pardeep Dutta of Times Now emphasized the role of media in generating awareness among youth regarding ill-effects of tobacco consumption. Bhushan Parmo of Voluntary Health Association of India emphasized the need of understanding the dynamics of tobacco industry and role of society in curbing the problem.
IGP Dilbag Singh, stressed upon the participants to use motivational skills while enforcing the provision of COTPA and police as law enforcement agency can surely help the society in creating better environment. He also explained the impact of passive smoking on non smokers.
He assured full cooperation to the VHAI in this noble cause. The function was attended by senior officers including DIG Jammu J.P.Singh, SSP PCR Jammu, SO to IGP Jammu, SO to DIG Jammu.