Udupi : Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, said on Friday Udupi would soon be declared as Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) high-compliance district.

She was chairing a trimonthly meeting of District Tobacco Control Unit and Tobacco Prohibition Cell at the District Offices Complex, here.

Ms. Francis said the administration had taken effective steps to create awareness about ill-effects of consumption of tobacco and tobacco products in schools and colleges in the district.

The concerned unit had also conducted raids of many outlets across the district and also slapped several cases in this connection.

Boards, which mentions that consumption of tobacco and tobacco products are illegal, have been installed on premises of schools and colleges. Sale of tobacco and tobacco products are prohibited around schools and colleges. The State Tobacco Control Cell, which conducted a survey, decided to declare Udupi as a ‘COTPA High Compliance District.’ The announcement would be made soon, she said.

Ms. Francis directed the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Pre-University Education to direct all schools and colleges to observe the first Saturday of every month as ‘Anti-Tobacco Day.’

Rohini, District Health and Family Welfare Officer, said the Tobacco Control Squad and the police had registered 622 cases and collected a fine of Rs. 96,160 in the district since April 17.

G. Anuradha, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Prabhakar, officer of State Tobacco Control Cell, and officers of Health and other departments were present.