Jharkhand continues to face a challenge in enforcing tobacco control regulations, with 1,822 challans/violations recorded under different provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) during this year till Tuesday.
The violations came despite the state conducting training, orientation and sensitisation programmes.
According to the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) dashboard, the highest number of violations were recorded for selling, supplying or allowing the distribution of cigarettes and any tobacco-related products to minors under the age of 18. A total of 1,594 challans were issued under Section 6(a).
The state recorded another 116 challans under Section 6(b), which prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions. Additionally, 112 challans were issued under Section 4, which prohibits smoking in public places.
However, the state has also conducted nine training, orientation and sensitisation programmes as part of its tobacco control efforts. Additionally, 80 institutions have been reported as tobacco-free.
On the other hand, over 2,700 people in the state have received counselling through Tobacco Cessation Centres (TCCs) during the current financial year. TCCs in district hospitals provide free counselling and pharmacotherapy to people seeking to quit smoking and other forms of tobacco consumption.
The TCCs are designed to provide professional support to people dependent on tobacco, including smokers as well as users of smokeless products such as khaini, gutkha and other chewing tobacco.
Counselling includes behavioural support, while medical professionals may prescribe pharmacological treatment when required.
Dr Asmat Fatima, counsellor at Sadar, said, “People seeking to quit are counselled on nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms and behavioural triggers that make quitting difficult.
“Health professionals help users identify situations that prompt tobacco consumption and develop strategies to manage cravings and avoid relapse. Follow-up support is also being provided because relapse can occur even after an individual has stopped tobacco use for a period.”
The cessation programme is not limited to cigarette smokers. It also addresses dependence on bidis and smokeless tobacco.
People seeking to quit can also contact the national toll-free tobacco Quitline at 1800-11-2356, providing counselling support to people wanting to quit.
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