Kohima, January 25 (MTNews): The Department of Health & Family Welfare has notified that in exercise of the power conferred by Section 4 and 6 of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Acts 2003 (COTPA 2003) and also considering the ever-increasing disease burden attributed to tobacco use, the State Government has declared all District Hospitals (DH), Community Health Centers (CHC), Primary Health Centers(PHC), Sub-Centers(SC),Chief Medical Officer (CMO) offices, Medical Superintendent (MS) offices, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) and Directorate of Health & Family Welfare as Tobacco-Free Zone.
Henceforth, smoking and using of tobacco products within the hospital premises and sale of tobacco products within 100 meters from any hospital is prohibited with effect from 1st February 2023. Further, Section 4 & 6 (b) of COTPA 2003 prohibits smoking in public places and sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of any educational institution respectively.
It also said that all Health Centers come under the purview of public places and also all Health Centers are considered as learning centers and come under the purview of educational institutions and contravention of the Provision of the Act by any person is punishable by law.
The Principal Director, all Heads of Offices, in charge of Hospitals, CMOs, MS and Nursing-in-charge are authorized to take action against anybody who contravenes the provision of Section 4 and 6 (b) of COTPA 2003 within their jurisdiction.