In a district-wide initiative to reinforce tobacco control measures, the District Administration, Kakching, conducted joint enforcement drives today as part of the ongoing Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 3.0. The drive was carried out under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) of the District Health Society, with a focus on ensuring compliance with COTPA, 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 (PECA).
Teams inspected multiple shops and business establishments located within 100 yards of educational institutions, where the sale of tobacco products is strictly prohibited under national law.
Multi-Department Operation Led by Health, Police & Food Safety Officials
The enforcement teams were led by
Dr. Thaodem Rajen Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Kakching
Dr. Takhellambam Jullon Singh, District Nodal Officer, NTCP
Shri Devendro, Designated Food Safety Officer
Shri Ph. Priyobarta, Officer-in-Charge, Kakching Police
Staff from the NTCP Cell, Food Safety Wing, and Kakching Police assisted in shop inspections, awareness outreach, and marking of restricted zones.
Officials reminded shopkeepers that selling tobacco products near educational institutions constitutes a punishable offence, and emphasised the district’s commitment to enforcing the law consistently.
Yellow Line Demarcation Marks Tobacco-Free Zones
One of the key activities of the day was the NTCP Yellow Line Campaign, which involves drawing a thick yellow boundary 100 yards (300 feet) around schools to clearly demarcate tobacco-free areas.
Demarcation was carried out at:
Kakching Higher Secondary School
Public School, Kakching
Martin Grammar School, Kakching
The yellow line serves as both a visual deterrent and a legal indicator that the sale of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarettes within the zone is prohibited.
Officials said the markings help students, parents, vendors, and the wider community recognise their responsibility in maintaining tobacco-free environments.
Awareness Drives to Continue Across the District
The NTCP team announced that additional awareness programmes, enforcement checks, and yellow-line demarcation will be conducted in other schools, colleges, and public spaces over the coming days.
The campaign aims to:
Reduce access to tobacco among youth
Strengthen enforcement of COTPA and PECA
Foster healthier school environments
Promote long-term behavioural change in communities
Social Welfare Department Joins With IEC Campaigns
Meanwhile, the District Social Welfare Office, Kakching, under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, conducted parallel awareness activities across key public spaces.
Teams distributed IEC materials and organised poster campaigns at:
Sora Bazar
Kakching Lamkhai
Kakching Bazar
These activities complement NTCP’s enforcement efforts by creating public awareness on the health risks of tobacco use and the importance of collective action in keeping youth tobacco-free.