Karnataka government bans smokeless tobacco products to protect 'public health' on World No Tobacco Day
The action was taken by State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who brought an amendment to the COTPA Act and banned hookah, along with curbing smokeless tobacco products. This has now been recognised by the President, and a notification has been issued by the state government today.
From now on, not only smoking but also smokeless tobacco products cannot be consumed and vaped in public places in the state. Apart from cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products were harmful to public health.
The virus could be spread from one person to another in the air by consuming tobacco products and inhaling them in public places. It was especially challenging for the public to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus. It also caused problems for patients with TB.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who had closely observed these problems, amended the previous COPTA Act to protect public health and got it approved by both houses of the state. Since it was a central law, it was sent for the president's approval. This important step of the state government has been approved by the President, and a notification has been issued by the state government today.
'These measures will play a crucial role in safeguarding public health, and the official order issued on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day is a commendable step. In addition to the existing ban on tobacco consumption in public places, chewing and spitting tobacco have also been prohibited. The sale of tobacco products to individuals below the age of 21 is now banned. Furthermore, the use of hookah has been prohibited in eateries, pubs, bars, and restaurants,' said the Minister in a post on X.
The fine for smoking in public places, which was Rs 200, has been increased to Rs 1000. The sale of tobacco products by those under the age of 21 has also been banned. Hookah has been banned in eateries, pubs, bars, and restaurants, and the law provides for a fine of at least Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh and a three-year prison sentence against hookah bars. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Doctor warns against excessive use of hand sanitiser, explains why 'soap and water are often more effective'
After the Covid-19 scare, hand sanitisers became a part of our daily lives. Many of us reach for them almost subconsciously, without a second thought. But have you ever wondered, how healthy is this habit really? In an Instagram post he shared on August 15, Dr Kunal Sood, an anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine physician, explained how too much of hand sanitiser use is not healthy. Also read | Hand hygiene dos and don'ts: 8 expert tips to clean and hygienic hands Too much of hand sanitiser is not healthy. (Unsplash) 'When you find out overusing hand sanitiser can disrupt your good skin bacteria which actually protect against bad bacteria. Can lead to dryness, cracking, and irritation. Plain soap and water in moderation can be more effective,' the doctor wrote. Why is excessive sanitiser use unhealthy? Dr Kunal Sood added, 'Frequent application, especially with alcohol-based products, can strip away natural oils and beneficial bacteria. This can lead to dryness, cracking, and conditions such as eczema or dermatitis, which may compromise the skin's protective barrier.' Is soap and water the healthier alternative? 'Soap and water are often more effective. Washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds removes dirt, grease, and microbes without causing as much damage to the skin. When available, opt for this approach to maintain both hygiene and skin health,' he also said. Commenting on Dr Kunal Sood's post, nutrition coach Dr. Dan Khaytman added, 'It's more effective to apply soap on wet hands, rather than dry, to really get all those germs removed.' Also read | Hand hygiene to manage childhood infections: Doctor shares tips to follow When to use hand sanitiser? Dr Sood suggested using hand sanitisers only when soap and water are not available. 'Hand sanitisers are ideal for situations where soap and water are unavailable, such as in public spaces or while traveling. However, they should be used in moderation,' he wrote. Tips to use hand sanitisers: Dr Sood further shared hand sanitisation tips to avoid overuse. Apply moisturisers regularly to protect the skin from dryness. Consider sanitisers with humectants like glycerin to minimise irritation. Follow hygiene guidelines to avoid overuse. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
How Goa managed to tame rabies: Inside state's drive that vaccinated 63,000 dogs in 30 days
PANAJI: Since Sept 2017, Goa has largely eliminated human rabies cases, earning a 'rabies-controlled' status in 2021 after three consecutive years without a single death from the virus. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The streak was broken by one case in 2023, but there were no fatalities in 2024 and none so far this year. 'Even if a single stray dog misses vaccination and sterilisation, it can lead to a litter of eight or nine puppies that are at risk,' said Nilkanth Harlankar, the state's minister for animal husbandry and veterinary services. The story began in 2014 when the threat of rabies in Goa was all too real: 17 people succumbed to the virus that year. There was no reliable data on the dog population — stray or pet — nor any formal record of dog mortality. Then came Mission Rabies, a fledgling NGO with a pilot surveillance project that uncovered a grim truth: of the 45 suspected animal cases they investigated, 39 tested positive for rabies. Instead of being daunted, they doubled down, aiming to vaccinate 50,000 dogs in just 30 days. By the end of the month, over 500 vets from 16 different countries joined forces with local teams and managed to exceed the target: they vaccinated 63,000 dogs. This momentum translated into policy the very next year. In 2015, the thenCM Manohar Parrikar signed an MoU with Mission Rabies, launching a full-fledged vaccination and sterilisation drive across the state. Following this, Goa had 24-hour rabies surveillance, an emergency hotline, rapid response teams, and field volunteers fanning out to every taluka, vaccinating and sterilising dogs, and assisting bite victims. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From Sept 2017, human rabies cases in Goa virtually disappeared. But the Covid-19 lockdown brought fresh challenges. As tourism halted and markets closed, hungry stray dogs from neighbouring states wandered into Goa. Mission Rabies suspects this migration led to a spike in animal cases in border talukas. Goa's borders with Maharashtra and Karnataka remain points of vulnerability, with rabies cases still detected in talukas like Bicholim, Pernem, Sattari, and Canacona. 'We are vaccinating stray dogs in border talukas on a warfooting,' said Harlankar. In June 2021, it was made mandatory for visitors bringing pets into Goa to declare their animals and share vaccination records via the anti-rabies hotline to prevent cross-border transmission.
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Cardiac arrest deaths tripled in last two years in Karnataka, shows data
BENGALURU: Deaths linked to cardiac arrests recorded under Karnataka's Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana have almost tripled, surging from 229 in 2023–24 to 608 in 2024–25, according to the state health department data. The number of critical ECG screenings also nearly tripled in the same period — from 2,489 to 6,767. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao shared the figures as an answer during the ongoing monsoon Legislative Council session. The department does not have a total number of heart attacks reported in the state or related deaths outside Dr Puneeth Rajkumar scheme, because heart attacks, so far, were not considered as a 'notifiable' disease. It was only this year during July that the Health Minister announced that cardiac attack related deaths outside hospitals will be declared as 'notifiable'. The minister had announced this after a surge was reported in heart attack cases in the state and a committee was formed to look into sudden cardiovascular events among individuals under 45 years of age. However, a government order regarding the same is not yet issued. Health department officials said that over 75% of the heart attack cases reported involved individuals with more than one cardiac risk factor and that the most contributing factors include obesity, heavy alcohol intake, smoking and high blood pressure. To reduce the risk of sudden heart-related deaths, health department officials said that they are considering expanding CPR training for specific groups such as physical trainers in gyms apart from school and college students and teachers. Additionally, efforts are on to ensure that gyms, malls, and other crowded places are equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to ensure immediate response during cardiac arrests. What is the scheme? The state government launched the Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana in October 2023 to provide emergency cardiac care to patients suffering from heart attacks or sudden cardiac issues within the golden hour. The model uses a 'hub-and-spoke' approach - Hubs are established at 16 super-specialty hospitals like Jayadeva Hospital in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kalaburagi. These hubs are connected to 85 spoke centers, encompassing district and taluk hospitals where patients first present. After initial treatment at a spoke, patients requiring advanced care are referred to a hub for specialized interventions. The scheme delivers tenecteplase injections - a clot-busting medication that costs up to Rs 45,000, at free of cost.
