Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar, IAS, on October 27 chaired a review meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) on Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 4.0.

The meeting reviewed the district action plan and implementation of campaign priorities. The Chief Medical Officer, Kargil; District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP); Principal, Boys Higher Secondary School; and representatives of the Police, Agriculture and Labour departments, besides other officers and officials, attended the meeting.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to intensify awareness campaigns on the harmful effects of tobacco use in schools, colleges, universities, ITIs and nursing schools.

He also directed officials to strengthen the enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and prepare a detailed schedule of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to ensure wider public outreach.

The DC further called for coordination with Deputy Commissioners of other districts to strengthen the implementation of tobacco-control measures.