On Friday, Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K. chaired the District-Level Coordination Committee of the Dakshina Kannada District Tobacco Control Cell at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mangaluru and mandated that cigarettes and all other tobacco products must not be sold to anyone below 21 years of age.
The directive follows the 2024 amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, which bans sales to minors, prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, and bars any tobacco transaction within 100 metres of schools. Sellers themselves must be at least 21 years old.
Urban local bodies and gram panchayats have been instructed to carry out regular inspections of shops, hotels and cafes. Any establishment found violating the law will face licence cancellation, and joint enforcement drives with police are to be organised. Only full packs may be sold; opening packs to sell individual sticks is illegal, and keeping lighters or matchboxes for smoking facilitation will attract action.
Public smoking or spitting will attract a fine of Rs 1,000 together with a warning. Officials must submit inspection reports at the next committee meeting. The School Education Department and the Pre‑University Education Department are to conduct periodic bag checks in schools and colleges and ensure nearby shops comply with the 100‑metre rule. Headmasters and School Development and Monitoring Committees must submit monthly declarations confirming their institutions are tobacco‑free.
When issuing licences to shops and hotels, the relevant tobacco‑control conditions must be incorporated. Awareness programmes against smoking should be organised by local bodies. Present at the meeting were District Health Officer Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah, Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Bhumireddy, ACP Nazma Farooqui, Wenlock Hospital Superintendent Dr. Shivaprakash, District Tobacco Control Cell Officer Dr. Naveenchandra Kulal and other officials.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Mangalorean News