The District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) meeting of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) for Thoubal District was held today at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Chairing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Thoubal and DLCC Chairman, A. Subhash, IAS, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and the DLCC to conduct drives at public spaces, including educational institutions, to ensure effective enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. He further stressed the importance of involving elected local body members in awareness campaigns to promote Tobacco-Free Villages.

Highlighting last year’s achievements, the meeting acknowledged the efforts of the Sangai Youth Tobacco Free and Educational Organisation, a state-level NGO, and the Zonal Education Office (ZEO), Thoubal, for organizing awareness programmes across ten schools. These schools have since been declared Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions under NTCP guidelines.

The committee also deliberated on strategies for stricter implementation of COTPA and broader promotion of Tobacco-Free Villages in the district.

The meeting was attended by the Sub-Divisional Officers of Thoubal and Lilong, representatives from the police department, and other DLCC members.