An anti-tobacco awareness campaign was conducted near Lao Radiant School and Vio Memorial Academy in Vakho village of Manipur’s Senapati district on November 12 under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) of the National Health Mission (NHM).
The campaign was led by Dr James Pao, District Nodal Officer of the District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC), Senapati, along with Police Sub-Inspector D. Pounai and other personnel.
During the drive, the team visited shops near the schools and sensitised shopkeepers about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and legal restrictions on selling tobacco products to or by minors.
They also highlighted Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.
The team warned shopkeepers that violations would attract legal action and penalties under the Act.
The campaign aimed to raise awareness among shopkeepers and promote a tobacco-free environment around educational institutions.
