The District Tobacco Control Cell has intensified enforcement of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) across Kodagu district by conducting raids, creating public awareness and organising educational programmes, according to District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Satish Kumar.
He said that every year the District Tobacco Control Cell conducts school awareness programmes, COTPA enforcement raids, street plays, World No Tobacco Day observances, Tobacco-Free Youth Campaigns, group discussions, face-to-face counselling, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, and training workshops throughout the district to educate students and the public about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and the provisions of the COTPA Act.
As part of the implementation of the COTPA Act during 2026-27, the Cell has continued enforcement drives across the district.
Under the provisions relating to the prohibition of smoking in public places, any person found smoking in a public place can be fined up to Rs. 1,000 on the spot by authorised officers under Section 21 for every violation. Those refusing to pay the fine may be issued a challan to appear before the court.
Dr. Satish Kumar said that between April and June 2026, the District Tobacco Control Cell conducted 34 enforcement raids, during which 360 cases were registered. Penalties were imposed on violators and awareness was created among the public regarding the provisions of the Act.
Under Section 5 of the Act, awareness has been created regarding penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations relating to direct and indirect advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products.
Under Section 6, awareness programmes have been conducted regarding the prohibition on the sale of tobacco products to minors below 21 years of age.
Under Section 6(b), the sale of tobacco products is prohibited within 100 yards of educational institutions. The head of each educational institution is responsible for ensuring that the campus is completely tobacco-free. Persons violating this provision may be fined up to Rs. 1,000 by the head of the institution or the jurisdictional police. During the period from April to June, 34 inspections were conducted, seven cases were registered and awareness programmes were organised.
Under Section 6(c), the sale of loose cigarettes has been prohibited. The public has been informed that violations of this provision are punishable under the Act.
Under Section 7, every cigarette and tobacco product package must display 85 per cent health warnings. Awareness is being created regarding the penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations of this provision.
As part of the School and College Awareness Programme, the District Tobacco Control Cell conducted awareness workshops on the harmful effects of tobacco products in 48 schools and colleges during the current year.
School and College Tobacco Control Committees have also been constituted and instructed to meet once every six months to undertake awareness activities on the ill effects of tobacco use. Educational institutions scoring more than 90 per cent under the Tobacco-Free Educational Institution guidelines have been advised to upload their details on the designated portal and declare themselves as Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions.
To encourage student participation, painting, essay writing and speech competitions are being organised, and winners will be recognised.
Dr. Satish Kumar further said that the District-Level Quarterly Progress Review Meeting of the District Tobacco Control Cell will be held once every three months under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner.
Regarding de-addiction services, he said that the Tobacco Cessation Centre screened 2,519 persons, provided counselling to 1,885 patients, and distributed 2,170 nicotine chewing gums between April and June 2026.
