Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 28: With an aim to stop people from smoking in public places, the Karnataka government has issued a formal notification banning loose sale of cigarettes, beedis and chewing tobacco products with immediate effect.

A notification issued by the Under Secretary to the Department of Health and Family Welfare states that sale of loose cigarettes, beedis and chewing tobacco violates Sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) 2003.

Persons violating the ban are liable for punishment under Section 20 to COTPA, which stipulates imprisonment up to one year or with fine up to Rs. 1,000 or both in the case of first conviction. A repeat offence stipulates imprisonment up to two years and fine up to Rs. 3,000.

“Though the blanket ban on smoking has cut down the number of smokers, loose sale of tobacco products encourage people to pick up the smoking habit. Banning loose sales of tobacco products prompts people to buy them in larger quantities and it would pinch their pockets. ,” says a source from Health and Family Welfare department.

Even though the government notification was issued on 11 September, the order has come to light towards the end of the month.

According to sources, the state government is preparing to take measures to clampdown smoking completely in the coming days.

“Although cigarette prices have been increased, people still end up buying one or two, and it was defeating the purpose of trying to curb smoking,” said Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Principal Secretary of the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department to the media.