Mangalore: Police to strictly implement Control of Tobacco Products Act
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Mar 14: "The cases of violation of Control of Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) should be documented, so that consumption of tobacco substances can be reduced,” said additional DGP A M Prasad.
He spoke during the ‘COTPA Act’ workshop organized by the Karnataka state police at the police guest house here on Thursday March 14.
Speaking to the delegates of 110 stations, A M Prasad said, "This is the third place where the workshop is being arranged. Before Mangalore, the workshop was held in Gadag and Mysore. Even though the ‘COTPA Act’ is in force, it has not been implemented properly in the state. In the coming days it will be strictly enforced.
"We do not want an increase in the number of violation of cases of COTPA Act. Our intention is to educate people about the ill-effects faced by consumption of tobacco and its products. Our young officers should be aware of this Act and the law should be enforced to reduce the consumption of tobacco," he said.
He also added that the officers who attend the workshop should become resource persons in their station limits and create awareness among school children with the permission of school principals.
IGP (western range) Pratap Reddy said COTPA Act was designed in 2003 to keep people away from all the dangers caused by tobacco and its products. The Act consists of various sections. Section (4) of the Act restricts individuals from smoking in public places. If any individual is found to be violating this law he can be fined with Rs 200 on the spot. If one doesn’t agree to pay fine then he can be produced before the judge for violation of the law, he said.
Dr Vishal Rao, Global Hospital cancer surgeon and director of cancer prevention project, IPH Bangalore briefed about the impact of consumption of tobacco and how it is harmful to human beings. "Ten lac people in India die every year because of cancer. Nearly 1-2 crore people are affected by cancer which is caused by consuming tobacco. In tobacco there are 6,000 chemical substances among which 60 carcinogenic agents directly cause cancer. Nearly 50% of cancer is caused due to consumption of tobacco. Remaining cases are caused by environment and food. In Karnataka, nearly 66 lac out of 2 crore, that is 30% of the people die due to cancer. Increase in the number of hospitals makes us feel proud, but in reality, it is a pity," he said.
"Tobacco products are more harmful than narcotic drugs which are not freely available. It is not only the duty of the home department of Karnataka but also the education department; municipality should also take the responsibility to enforce the COTPA Act. The civil society and NGOs too should take this responsibility," he added.
Dr Riyaz Basha, associate professor, Bangalore Medical College and member of state anti-tobacco cell briefed the sections of COTPA Act. He said section 4 of COTPA Act clearly states that no person shall smoke in public places like hotels/restaurants, auditoriums, hospital buildings, railway waiting rooms, amusement centers, public offices, court buildings, educational institutions, libraries, coffee houses, canteens, banks, clubs and also open spaces. If anyone is found to be violating this law he can be fined with Rs 200 on the spot or produced before the magistrate. Section 5 of COTPA Act says that brand promotion of all tobacco products in media, advertisements or sponsorship of tobacco products is prohibited. Section 6 of COTPA Act deals with prohibition on sale to and consumption by minors, and prohibition of sale around educational institution at a radius of 100 yards. Section 7-8 of COTPA Act says that pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs should be printed. Absence of picture or statutory warning in the tobacco products is offence under COTPA Act and the individual who violates the law can be fined or produced before the magistrate.
Manish Kharbikar, police commissioner of Mangalore said many individuals are addicted to tobacco. This is increasing and should be stopped. We should enforce the 8 COTPA Act and see to it that the law is not violated, he said.
Meanwhile Dr Vishal Rao introduced Durgayya, a fourth stage cancer patient who lost his voice box due to cancer caused by eating tobacco.
“Please educate the youth not to consume tobacco. This is my plea to all who have gathered here. I have suffered enough and spent lacs of rupees on this disease,” said Durgayya.
Dr Mohandas Bhandary, Dakshina Kannada SP Abhishek Goyal and Udupi SP Dr Boralingaiah were present on the occasion.