Govt to ban tobacco products within 100 yards of hospitals

JUNAID SIDIQ

SRINAGAR: The government is coming up with a comprehensive drug de-addiction policy in the state under which the sale of tobacco containing products within 100 yards of hospitals would be banned.
According to the policy draft, sanctioned by the health and medical department, content on the internet will be regulated and glamorization of drug abuse would be curbed.

The policy reads that the gyms, body fitness centres, supplement stores would be regulated and properly registered in view of potential abuse of steroidal and hormonal preparations in these centres.
The policy said the Food Control Organization in the State would examine samples of health supplements for illicit addition of performance enhancing compounds.

The government is also planning to re-categorize various medications marketed.

The policy said the department would go for school health check-up camps, particularly in case of adolescents who would be included in screening for drug abuse.

“Rehabilitative measures will be put in place for juveniles in juvenile homes/detention centres with special stress on educational opportunities and vocational training,” the policy reads.

To fight drug abuse the policy said that self-help communities on the lines of Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous would be introduced in the State.

As per the policy, medical insurance and medical lease benefits would cover the de-addiction treatment period just like any other medical condition.

As per the policy, resources for data collection and research would be made available in drug de-addiction centres.

The policy also reads that in order to tackle inter-state trafficking of drugs it is important to have collaboration between crime branch, excise department and police.