H.D. Kote: District Department of Health and Family Welfare, District Surveillance Office and District Tobacco Control Cell together had organised an awareness drive on COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act) – 2003 at Saragur in the taluk covering shops, hotels, bars and provision stores at public places recently.

District Tobacco Control Cell Advisor Shivakumar together with Sargur Police personnel educated the people on the ill-effects of consumption of tobacco products and proper implementation of COTPA.

The salient points of COTPA like banning sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of schools, colleges, smoking ban at public places, tobacco products sale outlets to display banners on health hazards of tobacco use and ban of sale of tobacco products to people under 18 years were explained to the people.

During the drive, 14 cases were booked against shops not abiding by COTPA.

Officials said that similar awareness drive would be conducted at every taluk in the district. Taluk Health Officer Dr. Ravi and others were present.