October 18, 2025

In a fiery district meeting on Saturday, Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar, Shilpa Nag, took a strong stand against tobacco law violations. She made it clear: any tobacco trader who breaks the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) rules repeatedly will lose their trade license — no excuses! This bold move came during the district Coordination Committee meeting held under the National Tobacco Control Programme at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Ms. Nag urged officials to step up their efforts, especially in busy urban areas, to enforce the tobacco rules strictly. The law bans sales of beedis, cigarettes, and other tobacco products within 100 meters of schools, meaning these areas should be turned into strict tobacco-free zones. “100% compliance should be ensured across the district,” she declared. And if someone breaks the rules near schools, she said the biggest fine should hit them hard. But that’s not all! Ms. Nag also wants awareness campaigns in places with many tobacco users. These sessions will explain the harmful effects of tobacco on both health and family life. She asked for reports on these special programmes at the next meeting, showing her commitment to follow-up. The district has set a big goal: making 68 villages completely tobacco-free! To make this happen, Ms. Nag stressed that all departments must work together closely. Panchayat development officers will team up with the Health Department to implement strict guidelines and make these villages safe zones. Joining the meeting, Eshwara, Member Secretary of the Chamarajanagar District Legal Services Authority and senior civil judge, reminded everyone that tobacco use and smoking in public places is a big no-no. He said tobacco use should only happen in approved zones. He also pushed for deep discussions on enforcing tobacco and substance abuse laws to protect public health. The gathering included many key officials like District Health and Family Welfare Officer S. Chidambara, Surveillance Officer Sundaresh, and others, all ready to fight tobacco the tough way in Chamarajanagar. With this vibrant push, the district is set to light up the path toward a healthier, smoke-free future. Watch out, tobacco sellers – the heat is on!

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Tags: Tobacco control, Cotpa, Chamarajanagar, Public health, Tobacco-free zones,