Dakshina Kannada Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K. declared that the sale of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, is now strictly prohibited for individuals under 21 years of age. Speaking this past Friday at the district-level coordination committee meeting of the Dakshina Kannada District Tobacco Control Cell, held at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mangaluru, he underscored the urgent need to enforce these updated regulations.
This enhanced age restriction stems from an amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2024. Beyond the new age limit, the amended legislation also prohibits the retail sale of single cigarettes and their distribution within a 100-meter radius of schools and colleges. Furthermore, the directive specifies that even individuals selling these products in retail outlets must themselves be at least 21 years old.
To ensure effective implementation, ADC Raju K. issued stringent instructions for urban local bodies and Gram Panchayats. They must conduct continuous inspections across shops, hotels, and cafes. Should any establishment be found selling cigarettes to minors, its license faces immediate revocation. He mandated joint operations involving the District Tobacco Control Cell, Health Department, local civic bodies, and the police to strengthen compliance.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner reiterated that cigarettes must be sold exclusively in full packs, clarifying that the law does not permit opening a pack to sell individual sticks. Action will also target those who facilitate smoking by providing lighters or matchboxes. Observing smoking in public places or the chewing and spitting of tobacco will incur a fine of Rs. 1,000, along with a formal warning. Officials are expected to conduct frequent operations and inspections, submitting a detailed report at the subsequent meeting.
Addressing concerns around youth access, ADC Raju K. directed the Department of School Education and the Department of Pre-University Education to conduct regular checks of students' bags in schools and colleges. He also instructed them to verify that shops within a 100-meter radius of educational
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📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK