Mangaluru: Police personnel belonging to all stations of Mangalore on Saturday underwent training to ban smoking in the public places here in a work shop organized in the city commissioner’s office. 

During the workshop, cops were told to get serious about implementation of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in the district.

In his address, Vishnuvardhan, DCP (Crime) said tobacco consumption leads to many diseases like Cancer and heart problems. Police have already incorporated COTPA violations in the monthly crime review following the instructions from the Union government. Besides, the police have also taken a novel and crucial role as protectors of health in reducing tobacco consumption with this step, he added.

Suresh, DCP (Law and Order) said the workshop was conducted to highlight the key sections under the COTPA Act. Cops at police station level have been strictly told to ensure implementation of smoking ban in public places and prevent sales of tobacco around schools and to children under COTPA. You will see the related action on ground soon, he added.

An audio visual presentation on the training module used during the program motivated the participants to protect the society from the ill effect of tobacco. As part of the program police officials also took a pledge to carry on the tobacco control measures effectively.

Some of the issues discussed are: Protect non-smokers by ensuring no smoking in public places, protect innocent non-users from being influenced by illegal advertising and promotions, protect minors from selling or buying tobacco, prevent tobacco products from being sold near schools and prevent people from selling tobacco without the statutory warnings.

Why Tobacco control?

Tobacco is one of the world’s leading causes of death and disability, killing more than 1 million people in India annually. As per the report released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as recent studies, one tobacco related death happening every eight second in the country! Karnataka presently has around Two Crore consumers, one third of who may die a premature death. Taking cognizance of this matter and in order to reduce consumption across the country, the state government has taken serious steps to implement COTPA.

Dr Chandrashekar from IPH were also present at the workshop and shared more details regarding COTPA implementation. The workshop was organized in association with Institute of Public Health, Bangalore.