Latest news with #CigaretteandOtherTobaccoProductsAct
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
89% schools and 87% colleges declared tobacco-free: DPH
In Tamil Nadu, 89% of schools and 87% of colleges have been declared as tobacco-free educational institutions, according to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Issuing a press release in line with the World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) observed on May 31, T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, said that Tamil Nadu has implemented comprehensive interventions focussed on enforcement, awareness, capacity building, cessation services and safeguarding institutions from tobacco exposure. This year, WNTD is observed on the theme 'Unmasking the appeal: Exposing industry tactics on tobacco and nicotine products' underscoring the urgent need to counter deceptive marketing strategies targeting children, adolescents and vulnerable communities, the release said. Listing out key achievements in tobacco control (up to May 2025) in the State, the directorate said on strict enforcement of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), a total of 4,60,486 persons were fined and a fine amount of ₹7,97,13,387 was collected. A total of 45,865 out of 51,477 schools and 2,173 out of 2,484 colleges were declared tobacco-free. To enforce Section 6 of COTPA and to protect the young, the directorate has asked district officials to ensure that all educational institutions mark the 100-yard tobacco-free zones by implementing the 'Yellow Line Campaign'. 'This year's theme reminds us that the battle against tobacco is not just about controlling consumption — it is about exposing the industries that profit by endangering lives,' he said. Dr. Selvavinagayam added that Tamil Nadu leads by example with widespread enforcement, education, and community engagement. 'Through initiatives like the Yellow Line Campaign, we are drawing a visible boundary between our children and the threat of tobacco.' In line with this year's theme, Cancer Institute (WIA) organised a series of events that included an awareness rally, sand sculpture, open mic and announcement of awareness messages in Chennai Metro Rail stations, according to a press release. The department of Psycho-Oncology, Cancer Institute (WIA) along with HCL Foundation organised the awareness rally at Elliot's Beach, Besant Nagar on May 31. Nearly 1,000 participants including school and college students took part. R. Murugan, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai Police, Adyar Range and T. G. Sagar, Governing Body Member and former director, Cancer Institute (WIA) were present. A social media campaign aligned with World Health Organisation's (WHO) WNTD was also held. It highlighted tobacco's harmful effects, debunked myths, and exposed industry tactics targeting youth, and promoted the health benefits of quitting tobacco to encourage informed choices. Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research conducted an awareness rally to mark WNTD. Students, faculty members and healthcare professionals participated in the rally. Sri Ramachandra Hospital has opened a cessation clinic as per WHO guidelines to overcome addiction of tobacco usage through counselling and supportive medication, a release said.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Shops selling tobacco products require exclusive trade license: Health Dept.
Shops selling cigarettes, beedis and gutka in Mysuru have been warned of a penalty of ₹5,000 if they do not possess an exclusive trade license for selling tobacco products. District Surveillance Officer, Department of Health and Family Welfare, D.G. Nagaraj, who also heads the District Tobacco Control Cell, told The Hindu that an awareness campaign on the need for an exclusive tobacco vendors' license to sell tobacco products is under way as part of the ongoing Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 compliance drive in Mysuru. 'We are educating and creating awareness for now. We will soon start penalising shops if they do not possess a separate trade license required for selling tobacco products,' he warned. Though directions have been issued under the Karnataka Municipalities (Regulation and Inspection of Places used for Sale of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products) Model bye-laws 2020 to issue separate business licenses for sale of tobacco products, the Directorate of Municipal Administration had, in January 2025, taken serious note of the matter and directed the urban local bodies to issue such licenses under the Vyapar online software platform. Sale of loose beedis, cigarettes prohibited The District Surveillance Office has also informed that the loose sale of beedis and cigarettes is prohibited under the law and offenders will be liable for penalty. Meanwhile, the District Tobacco Control Cell has launched an 18-day-long special drive for implementation of COTPA rules in all the 18 police stations of Mysuru city from May 5. Six police stations, viz. Narasimharaja, Mandi Mohalla, V V Puram, Metagalli, Jayalakshmipuram, and Vijaynagar police stations had been covered till May 13. A total of 387 cases had been booked, including 101 in V.V. Puram police station limits alone, and a total of ₹43,900 penalty had been collected during the last six days of the drive. A majority of the fine was collected for violation of Section 4 of COTPA 2003, which dealt with the prohibition of smoking in public places, including bus stands, parks, hotels, restaurants, bakeries, shops, commercial establishments, cinema theatres, government offices, and private office premises. The responsibility of the enforcement lies on the owners of the premises and violation can lead to a fine upto ₹2,000, said a statement. Apart from booking the offenders for violation of various provisions of COTPA, Mr. Nagaraj said the Tobacco Control Cell officials also imposed penalty on shops selling imported and smuggled cigarettes during the drive. Consultant of Mysuru District Tobacco Control Cell Shivakumar and officials from the Department of Health, Education, Police, and Mysuru City Corporation are participating in the drive, which is expected to continue till May 28.
