Dimapur, June 29: Following the “declaration” of “Kohima city” as “smoke free city” by the district administration of the capital town, the district’s administration has issued a number of guidelines and “action plans” to see effective implementation to “smoke-free Kohima city” as envisaged though the COTPA 2003 Act. The guidelines are (given verbatim):
* All public places including the entertainment centre and venues such as play grounds/stadiums/conference halls/heritage & open air public sites etc. shall be Smoke Free, and such specific conditions shall be invariably incorporated in the allotment orders/permissions issued by appropriate authorities to the organizing bodies/users for strict adherence. The sponsoring body for any public events/gathering shall be directly responsible for enforcement.
* All public places under the management of firms/individual/society ownership viz. hotels/restaurants/shopping centers/public transport shall invariably display appropriate signboards and ensure smoke free atmosphere.
* Wide ranging publicity and sensitization activities will be launched for effective awareness and enforcements of the declaration:
a) Notify the guidelines in media, official forums, NGOs, local bodies.
b) Put up sign boards/signage/slogans/stickers etc in open public places in various dialects by DLCC.
c) The 22 Tobacco Free Schools will be sensitized to be Ambassadors of Smoke Free campaign whenever they are.
d) Awareness campaign shall be held in AHoDs/HoDs, DPDBs, Police/ Administration and various social platforms, and outstation bus/ taxi stand.
e) Power point presentations in soft copies shall be prepared for wide circulation.
4. Clear distinction between “tobacco free” and “smoke (tobacco) free” implications will be maintained in the process. Concept of “smoking zones”, “Public places” will also be clarified and sensitized to strengthen enforcement.
5. Copies of COTPA 2003 will be circulated to all agencies for effective enforcements.
6. Timelines for above action plans as well as periodical assessments and review of success and constraints will be taken up.
The DLCC will endeavor to leave no stone unturned for successful achievement of the declared “Smoke Free Kohima” city.
