New tobacco licence rules aim to clear Bengaluru's smoke
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By implementing a separate trade licence for tobacco sales, we can bring some level of control over the sale of these products
– Dr BS Triveni
Smoke-Free Bengaluru initiative
In a bid to control the rising smoking trend in the city, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken steps to mandate a separate trade licence for the sale of tobacco products.Although the regulations regarding this were announced last year, the BBMP had delayed incorporating them into the online system. However, all necessary preparations have now been made, and the new trade licence rules will soon be implemented.Under the new system, shops and stores selling tobacco products such as beedis, cigarettes, and gutkha will be required to obtain a tobacco trade licence in addition to the regular trade licence.Failure to comply will result in fines. The licence fee has been set at Rs 500 for a five-year period. If tobacco products are sold without a licence, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed for the first offence. Subsequently, a fine of Rs 100 per day will be levied, as per the BBMP's decision.There are an estimated 60,000 shops in Bengaluru, with more than half of them selling tobacco products without any regulation. The sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18 or to schoolchildren is prohibited. Cigarettes must be sold in full packets, and while there are rules against selling loose beedis, these regulations are largely ignored by vendors. Additionally, shops selling tobacco products are required to display a clear sign stating, 'Smoking is harmful to health.' However, such boards are often poorly displayed, sometimes hidden in corners. Once the new trade licence system is in place, it will be mandatory to follow the regulations. Non-compliance will result in penalties, and it is expected that this will lead to a decrease in tobacco sales and a reduction in the number of shops selling tobacco products.With the rapid growth of the city and an increasing number of young people engaging in smoking, the number of smokers is also on the rise. This is particularly concerning as it is the youth who are falling prey to this harmful habit. The increase in smoking is having serious repercussions on public health. To address this, the BBMP, in collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported organisation 'Partnership for Healthy Cities,' has launched the 'Smoke-Free Bengaluru' initiative. This program aims to reduce tobacco sales, lower smoking rates, and raise awareness about the health impacts of tobacco products.Dr BS Triveni, the project lead for the, stated, 'By implementing a separate trade licence for tobacco sales, we can bring some level of control over the sale of these products.'
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