Medical authorities list out COTPA regulations

Dimapur, June 30 (EMN): The Authority of District Hospital Dimapur on Sat. June 30 informed the public that it will strictly enforce Section 4 of COTPA 2003 which prohibits smoking in public places and also enforce section 6 (b) which bans sale of tobacco products near educational institutions with immediate effect. COTPA 2003 is the acronym for ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003’. The MS, District Hospital Dimapur, Dr Z Kheshito Zhimo disclosed that the order is being passed ‘in view of the increasing trend of tobacco related diseases like cancer and cardio vascular diseases in our society and also to improve cleanliness in the society’. In this connection, Dr Zhimo stated that the District hospital, with a Nursing School, comes under the purview of educational institution, and therefore asked the shops located around the hospital campus area to desist from storing and selling tobacco products. The MS warned defaulters of exacting a fine of INR 200 as per the provision of the law. The measures of restricting sale of tobacco products in the hospital area is being implemented in the interest of all, therefore, Dr Zhimo requested the public to extend their cooperation towards the imitative.