Jammu and Kashmir Government is contemplating to constitute a high-level monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister to curb the menace of tobacco and other allied products in J&K. 

This was revealed by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sham Lal Sharma at a meeting of representatives of Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) on 22 August.

Expressing concern over the increasing cases of cancer every year due to use of tobacco in different forms, the minister stressed the need for strong measures to minimize the use of cigarettes, gutkas and other such products while seeking society’s help in dealing with the issue.

He said only Government efforts are not enough to get rid of the menace. He appealed to social and religious organisations to use their influence and educate the society about the ill-effects of tobacco and other similar substances which are eating into the vitals of the society.