Jamshedpur Schools, hospitals, and public spaces to be declared smoke-free

Jamshedpur: In a significant move to curb the use of tobacco products and protect public health, the East Singhbhum District Administration has decided to declare all educational institutions, health centers, and major public places as smoke-free zones. The decision was taken during a meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee on Tobacco Control, held at the Collectorate Auditorium on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner  Karn Satyarthi.

The meeting, chaired by ADM Law and Order  Aniket Sachan, was attended by Dhalbhum SDO. Shatabdi Majumdar, Ghatsila SDO  Sunil Chandra, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sahir Pal, District Public Relations Officer Panchanan Oraon, and senior officials from the Education Department, Municipal Corporation, Police, Food Safety, Labor Department, and other concerned wings.

The focus of the meeting was the effective implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and enforcement of strict penalties for violations. ADM Sachan stressed that all departments must adopt a zero tolerance policy on tobacco usage and take punitive action, including fines and legal penalties, against violators of the Act.

The meeting also emphasized the urgent need for public awareness campaigns. Officials were directed to organize posters, banners, wall writings, and community dialogue programs to inform people about the dangers of tobacco and legal prohibitions in place. Educational campaigns will particularly target students and vendors near school zones.

ADM Sachan instructed the three-tier flying squads—already constituted for enforcing COTPA—to conduct regular inspections, especially near schools, colleges, hospitals, and public transport hubs, and ensure that no tobacco products are sold within 100 yards of educational institutions. Vendors selling tobacco products will be issued warning notices, detailing relevant provisions of the law.

The committee also reviewed the progress of the Tobacco Control Programme in the district and discussed challenges related to enforcement. It was decided that all departments must work in close coordination to ensure the campaign’s success and regularly monitor the declared smoke-free zones.

On the occasion, all present officials took a pledge to refrain from tobacco use and committed themselves to spreading awareness about the mission to make the district—and ultimately the state—tobacco-free.

The East Singhbhum administration’s move is expected to have a far-reaching impact on public health, especially by protecting children and youth from exposure to harmful tobacco use and second-hand smoke.