In a major step towards safeguarding children from tobacco exposure and substance abuse, Mission Vatsalya (Child Protection Services) Bandipora in collaboration with Bandipora Police conducted a special inspection drive across shops and marketplaces in the district to check the illegal sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors in and around educational institutions.
The drive was conducted under the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan aimed at creating awareness against drug abuse and ensuring a safe environment for children and youth.
The inspection drive was also joined by members of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), officials from the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and Child Helpline (CHL), who actively participated in the inspection and awareness campaign.
During the drive, several shops were inspected for violations under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. Several violators found selling tobacco products near schools were fined on the spot and strictly warned against repeating the offence.
The inspection aimed to ensure strict implementation of laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors and near educational institutions. Officials reiterated that such practices pose a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of children.
Speaking during the awareness campaign, Chairperson Child Welfare Committee Bandipora, Dr Asima, and Protection Officer Bandipora, Gowhar Mahmood sensitized the general public about the provisions of the JJ Act, 2015 and urged citizens to immediately report any violations related to child protection, sale of tobacco to minors, child labour, abuse or neglect.
They appealed to the public to actively support child protection mechanisms and report such incidents on emergency helpline numbers 1098 and 112 for immediate intervention and assistance.
Officials stated that such inspection drives and awareness programmes would continue across the district to ensure a safe, healthy and drug-free environment for children and youth.