Latest news with #DroupadiMurmu
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Karnataka tightens COTPA rules; penalty for violations, legal age for purchasing tobacco products raised
Tightening tobacco control laws, the Karnataka government has notified major amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day observed on May 31. The amendments —through which the maximum fine for violations under tobacco control laws has been increased from ₹200 to ₹1,000 and the legal age for purchasing tobacco products has been raised from 18 to 20 years— were approved by President Droupadi Murmu on May 23. The amended Act — the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024 — was published in the Karnataka Gazette on May 30. In addition to the existing ban on tobacco consumption in public places, chewing and spitting tobacco has also been prohibited. The other key amendments include a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes or single sticks and strict prohibition on the sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of any educational institution. This was earlier within 100 yards. Hookah bars The State has also imposed a blanket ban on hookah bars, regardless of whether they are located in restaurants, pubs, or cafes. As per the newly added Section 4A, operating a hookah bar will now invite imprisonment of one to three years and fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh under Section 21A of the Act. Despite an earlier ban, hookah bars were still found operating illegally in parts of Bengaluru. While designated smoking areas (DSAs) will still be allowed in hotels with over 30 rooms, restaurants with seating for more than 30 and airports, penalties for violations have increased from ₹ 200 to ₹ 1,000 under sections 21, 24, and 28. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said these amendments are part of the State government's larger strategy to safeguard public health, particularly in the younger generation in sensitive areas like schools and colleges. Stringent enforcement Surgical oncologist U.S. Vishal Rao, who is a member of the State government's High-Powered Committee on Tobacco Control, said the amendments are a significant step in the effort towards achieving tobacco control in Karnataka. 'We have known that as per data from the latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) for India, there has been a reduction in the number of tobacco users by about 81 lakh. Specifically, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults aged 15 and above has reduced by 7%. The amended Act makes enforcement more stringent, reducing the accessibility of these products to youth who are the main targets of the tobacco companies for initiating addiction,' Dr Rao told The Hindu. Following the amendments, the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda has appealed to all proprietors of hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs to remove illegal designated smoking areas (DSAs) or rooms which are not compliant with COTPA rules. 'DSAs must be distinctly marked and adequately ventilated as per the COTPA guidelines to ensure non-smokers are not exposed to second-hand smoke. It is imperative to note that providing of food, water, beverages, or any tobacco products within DSAs is strictly prohibited,' stated the appeal dated May 31. EOM/
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka cracks down on tobacco use: Legal age raised to 21, hookah bars banned under new law
Karnataka has implemented a strict anti-tobacco law. Hookah bars are now banned. The legal age to buy tobacco has increased to 21. Penalties for violations are stricter. Public tobacco use is prohibited, with some exceptions. Selling single cigarettes is outlawed. The government aims to curb youth tobacco consumption with these changes. President Droupadi Murmu approved the amendment bill. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In a sweeping public health reform, the Karnataka government has enforced a new anti-tobacco law that bans hookah bars, raises the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, and introduces stricter penalties for violations, PTI changes come after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on May 23 to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, per the revised Act, using tobacco in public places—defined to include both smoking and spitting—is prohibited. While exemptions for designated smoking areas are allowed in hotels with over 30 rooms, restaurants with 30+ seat capacity, and airports, general public spaces remain strictly of the most notable features of the amendment is a complete ban on hookah bars, regardless of whether they are located in pubs, cafes, or standalone law defines a hookah bar as any establishment offering communal hookah or narghile smoking. Violators could face imprisonment ranging from one to three years, along with fines between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00, amended law also prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 and bans tobacco sales within 100 meters of educational institutions. It further outlaws selling tobacco in loose or single sticks—a common practice in local strengthen enforcement, penalties under Sections 21, 24, and 28 of the Act have been increased fivefold—from ₹200 to ₹1,000—for smoking in public or selling tobacco to minors and young Karnataka government's move aligns with growing calls from health experts and activists nationwide for tougher tobacco regulations, especially to deter youth consumption.
New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka raises age for tobacco purchase to 21
BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Friday completely banned hookah bars, raised the legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21 years, and increased the maximum fine for violations under tobacco control laws from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. A government order notifying the changes was issued on Friday, after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Karnataka-specific amendment to the central tobacco control law on May 23. The revised law — The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024 — was published in the Karnataka Gazette on May 30.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
NCBC submits pending annual reports for 2022–24 to President
The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has submitted its Annual Reports for 2022–23 and 2023–24 to President Droupadi Murmu, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said in a statement on Friday (May 30, 2025) The reports were presented to the President on Thursday (May 29, 2025) by NCBC Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Commission Member Bhuvan Bhushan Kamal. As per its constitutional mandate, the NCBC is required to submit these reports annually, reviewing the implementation of safeguards for communities classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The Commission is also empowered to recommend measures that the Union and State governments ought to take for the 'protection, welfare, and socio-economic development' of these communities. While the submission to the President is part of the regular process, the reports are made public only after they are laid in Parliament, accompanied by Action-Taken Reports (ATRs). The last NCBC report that was laid in Parliament was its consolidated tenure report for the period 2019–2022. The latest submissions follow a considerable delay. Officials familiar with the process explained that the compilation of such reports involves collecting data from various State governments, which often leads to delays. Furthermore, tabling the reports in Parliament is contingent on the preparation of ATRs by different governments, adding to the time taken. As The Hindu reported earlier this year, the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and Scheduled Tribes (NCST) had also not submitted their Annual Reports for 2023–24 and 2024–25 as of last month. The NCSC's 2022–23 report, though submitted to the President in February 2024, is still awaiting tabling in Parliament. In the case of the NCST, five reports covering the years 2018–19 to 2022–23 have been submitted to the President but are yet to be laid in the House.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
President Droupadi Murmu confers 15 nurses with the Florence Nightingale Award
NEW DELHI: A prolific academic, Dr Banu M R, a PhD in nursing, who has authored textbooks, published numerous research articles, and is currently serving as an Assistant Nursing Superintendent at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, is among the 15 nurses and ANMs, who were conferred with the prestigious National Florence Nightingale award-2025 by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. She is also acknowledged for demonstrating exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a role model for her peers, and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Neuro Rehabilitation Centre and developing a comprehensive intervention package for tobacco cessation during her 25-year nursing career. A health educator, Valiveti Subhavathi, started her journey as an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at a primary health centre in Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh and slowly rose to the position of management instructor, from which she retired this year after 39 years of exemplary service. Known for her creative health awareness campaigns, for which she wrote and sang songs, Subhavathi has also been awarded at the district level for being the best health educator and performer. K Alamelu Mangayarkarasi, a staff nurse at the government hospital, Srivilliputhur – Sub-District Hospital, Tamil Nadu, who played a key role in enhancing obstetrical and family welfare services, as well as in the establishment of the Orthopaedic Operation Theatre, is also among the nurses and ANMs, who were honoured for their exemplary service in strengthening public health delivery and their unwavering commitment to promoting the welfare of the community.
