Mangaluru : Dakshina Kannada Tobacco Control Cell has collected a total fine of Rs 1,95,150 for violating various sections of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) Act, since April 2016.

As many as 1,218 cases have been booked so far in the district. A total of 169 cases have been booked from April 2020 to January 2021 and a fine of Rs 23,500 has been collected. As many as 615 cases were booked and a fine of Rs 79,800 was collected from April 2019 to March 2020, said officials from the Cell.

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer R Selvamani said that there was a need to sensitise society on reducing the usage of tobacco and about its ill-effects.

He was speaking during a workshop on National Tobacco Control Programme and The COTPA Act. Selvamani said the enforcement of the ban on the sale of tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of educational institutions should be strictly implemented to ensure that school and college students do not fall prey to the use of tobacco products.

Earlier, smoking cigarettes was considered a heroic deed. However, owing to the awareness, people have realised the ill-effects. Even branding of petty shops by tobacco products company has been checked after the COTPA Act was implemented. The farmers are also supported to cultivate alternative crops for tobacco in the country to reduce the use of tobacco, he said.

The coordination of all departments is required for the effective implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) Act.

Dr Jagannath from the Department of Public Health, Nitte (Deemed to be University) said tobacco consumption was a gateway to other habits. Only awareness will help to reduce the prevalence of tobacco in India. Smokeless tobacco is as dangerous as smoking tobacco.

There is a need to make public places smoke-free areas. The prevalence of smoking in public places is still high in the country. People should raise an alarm and create awareness on the COTPA, which prohibits smoking in public places. The implementation of COTPA should become a social movement in India, he added.

Dr Hanumantharayappa, Advisor of National Tobacco Control Programme, District Surveillance Officer Dr Jagadish and others were present.