Page 65 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026 VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026
A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

Taking

Tobacco Control

to the Community

in Cachar

Raising awareness, inspiring change, building a
healthier community

Abhijit Bhattacharjee disease and other serious health complications
Zonal Coordinator, COP linked to tobacco use.
Silchar Cancer Centre Young ambassadors for a tobacco-free
generation
Special emphasis was placed on school and
he District Tobacco Control Programme college students, encouraging them to become
(DTCP), Cachar, in association with the ambassadors of a tobacco-free generation.
TCOP team of ACCF, has been conducting Teachers, community leaders, shopkeepers and
awareness and enforcement activities across the local residents were also encouraged to support
district to promote a tobacco-free and healthier the mission within their own areas.
society. Alongside awareness activities, DTCP Cachar
The initiative focused on educating the public and the ACCF COP team carried out COTPA
about the harmful effects of tobacco and enforcement drives in public places. Inspections
supporting the effective implementation of the focused on compliance with provisions such as
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act prohibition of smoking in public places, the ban
(COTPA), 2003. Activities were organised in public on sale of tobacco products near educational
places, educational institutions, marketplaces, institutions and the display of mandatory warning
offices and in the community. signage. Violators were counselled and penalised
as per the Act.
The joint effort has helped increase public
awareness, strengthen community participation
and support the vision of a tobacco-free Cachar.

Ê No smoking in
public places

Ê No tobacco sale
near educational
Empowering communities to quit tobacco
and choose health institutions

The campaign included public awareness Ê Mandatory warning
rallies, distribution of IEC materials, street plays, COTPA signage
interactive sessions and health talks on the risks Enforcement Ê Counselling and
of smoking and smokeless tobacco. The team Focus penalties for
also sensitised communities on oral cancer, lung violations

64 Know your breasts, report any unusual changes promptly, and don’t ignore symptoms. 65