THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local bodies in the state will work together with the Achutha Menon Institute to conduct an intensive campaign against tobacco use. As part of the campaign, the local bodies have already included tobacco control as a regular agenda item in the monthly District Development Council meetings presided over by Collectors. The representatives of 200 selected panchayats across 14 districts have consented to carry out intensive tobacco control measures at the project against non communicable diseases launched by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently.
The local bodies will take initiative to prevent school students from falling into the trap of drug mafia. Health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan had pointed out that there should be no laxity in strictly enforcing legislation that prohibit sale of tobacco products to children. Dr K.R. Thankappan, Prof and Head, Achutha Menon Centre and Vice Chairman, Tobacco Free Kerala emphasised the importance of healthy diet and physical activity promotion by Panchayats.
Dr V. Ramankutty, Professor, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies of Sree Chitra Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) urged local bodies to play a key role in law enforcement, awareness generation, and rehabilitation to rein in tobacco use in Kerala. Any existing lapses in implementation of Indian tobacco control law COTPA, 2003 can be set right with the involvement and participation of local bodies, he said.
