Various activities will be organised in Shimla district from 09 October to 08 December under the campaign.
The third meeting of the District-Level Tobacco Control Committee was held today under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Anupam Kashyap. The meeting was attended by officials from various departments, stakeholders, and representatives from the National Tobacco Control Programme.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner formally launched the “Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 3.0.” On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stated that tobacco use is a serious social and health problem, and it is crucial to keep youth away from it. He added that a joint effort by all departments is essential to raise youth awareness and create a tobacco-free environment.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner formally launched the “Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 3.0.” On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner stated that tobacco use is a serious social and health problem, and it is crucial to keep youth away from it. He added that a joint effort by all departments is essential to raise youth awareness and create a tobacco-free environment.
This campaign will begin on October 9, 2025, and continue in the district until December 8, 2025. During this two-month period, extensive public awareness activities will be organized in schools, colleges, panchayats, and urban local bodies. All tobacco control activities will be documented on the National Tobacco Control Program portal, which will be monitored by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the COTPA Act, 2003, and emphasized the need to ensure strict adherence to regulations prohibiting smoking in public places. Further, instructions were issued to ensure necessary compliance with the Himachal Pradesh Retail Trade License Act, 2016, regarding the sale of tobacco products in urban and rural areas.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to ensure effective implementation of all tobacco control regulations and to strengthen public outreach campaigns to raise awareness of the ill effects of tobacco. He said this campaign will only be successful if all sections of society, especially the youth, actively participate.
The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the COTPA Act, 2003, and emphasized the need to ensure strict adherence to regulations prohibiting smoking in public places. Further, instructions were issued to ensure necessary compliance with the Himachal Pradesh Retail Trade License Act, 2016, regarding the sale of tobacco products in urban and rural areas.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to ensure effective implementation of all tobacco control regulations and to strengthen public outreach campaigns to raise awareness of the ill effects of tobacco. He said this campaign will only be successful if all sections of society, especially the youth, actively participate.
At the end of the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner also made everyone take a pledge for the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Divyanshu Singhal, Chief Medical Officer Yashpal Ranta along with officials from Health Department, Education Department, Municipal Corporation, State Tax and Excise Department and other related institutions were present in the meeting.
