RAIPUR,CG: Raipur Divisional Commissioner Mahadev Kawre referred to tobacco as a ‘slow poison’, emphasizing the need for its gradual reduction and ultimate elimination.

He was addressing a division-level training program aimed at strengthening tobacco control efforts and safeguarding future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco was organized under the joint aegis of the Health and Family Welfare Department and Bloomberg Project Chhattisgarh. The officers and employees from the Panchayat Department of the five districts within the Raipur division were present.

During the program, participants were educated on the detrimental effects of tobacco addiction and the various diseases associated with tobacco products.

Kawre expressed concern over the continued use of tobacco despite clear health warnings on packaging and urged for strong efforts at the Gram Panchayat level to curb tobacco consumption.

The program also highlighted the significant burden that tobacco use places on health, the environment, and the economy. Information was provided on the services available at tobacco de-addiction centers, and detailed discussions were held on smoke-free policies, including the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003. The roles of various departments, such as Panchayat and Rural Development, Labor, Transport, and Excise, in tobacco control were also elaborated.

Legal aspects of tobacco control were addressed, with Dr. Kamlesh Jain, State Nodal Officer of the Tobacco Control Program, underscoring the importance of inter-departmental coordination to effectively curb tobacco use. Dr. Jain also provided an overview of the ongoing efforts in the state to control tobacco prevalence, including the introduction of a monitoring app and the declaration of educational institutions as tobacco-free zones with the support of the Education Department.

In the first phase of the initiative, efforts have begun to make five Gram Panchayats in each district smoke-free, spearheaded by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department. The program was attended by Deputy Commissioner Jyoti Singh and others were present.