CH NEWS
KALABURAGI
City Police Commissioner Dr SD Sharanappa called upon all stakeholders to work together to create a tobacco-free society and ensure a healthy future for the younger generation.
He was speaking after inaugurating a sensitisation workshop on the provisions of the COTPA State Amendment-2024, PECA-2019 and other related laws, organised for police officers and personnel at the City Police Commissioner’s office.
The workshop was jointly organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, Department of Health and Family Welfare Services, District Tobacco Control Cell, Home Department and City Police Commissionerate.
Dr SD Sharanappa and District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr Sharanabasappa Kyatanal jointly inaugurated the workshop by watering a sapling. During the workshop, police officials were briefed on the key provisions of the COTPA-2003 State Amendment-2024, including restrictions on smoking in public places, prohibition of sale of tobacco products to minors and regulations on tobacco product advertisements and promotions.
Officials were also briefed on the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, under which the production, import, sale, distribution, storage and advertising of electronic cigarettes are prohibited.
Commissioner Dr Sharanappa directed police officials to take strict legal action as per the law against smoking and other violations in public places, educational institution premises and on roads in city.
Dr Amit Yadav, Deputy Director of Vital Strategies, New Delhi, explained the major provisions of the COTPA State Amendment-2024, restrictions on smoking in public places, the ban on selling tobacco products to minors and regulations governing tobacco advertising and promotion.
Dr Maheshwari Hiremath, Principal of SSL Law College and Mahantesh Ullagaddi, Divisional Coordinator of the State Tobacco Control Cell, Bengaluru, explained the key legal provisions under COTPA aimed at protecting public health and their effective implementation. Posters highlighting penalties for violations of COTPA in public places and promoting anti-tobacco awareness were also released on the occasion.
DCP Shalu, District Tobacco Control Cell District Consultant Sujata Patil, social worker Aarti Dhanshree, Psychologist and Counsellor Manjunath Kambalimath and others attended the workshop.
City Police Commissioner Dr SD Sharanappa stressed the need to create awareness among youngsters to stay away from tobacco, gutka and other addictive substances that adversely affect public health. Given the relatively high consumption of tobacco and gutka in North Karnataka, police personnel should also stay away from such habits and adopt a healthy lifestyle, he advised.
