Hunsur/ Periyapatna:  In a move to curb tobacco menace in public places, officials of the District Health and Family Welfare Department, District Tobacco Control Cell, which conducted separate drives in Hunsur taluk and Periyapatna taluk with the help of Hunsur and Periyapatna Police on June 14 and 15, have booked a total of 43 cases against shop owners for not displaying instruction boards in their shops under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) Act and have collected a total fine of Rs. 6,100 from them.

The drives were carried out on bars and restaurants, pan shops and other shops selling tobacco products in both the taluks.

Along with the raids, an awareness drive was also launched where shopkeepers were sensitised on the bad effects of tobacco.

Similar drives will be intensified in coming days at taluk and hobli levels.

COTPA aims at regulating the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products. As per the Act, if anyone is seen selling cigarettes or other tobacco products within 100 yards of campuses of educational institutions, complaints can be filed against the person at the nearest Police Station and the Police will act against such violators.

Action has been taken to enforce the ban under Sections 4, 5, 6 and 6 B of the COTPA. Section 4 of COTPA bans smoking in public places, Section 5 bans all form of direct and indirect advertisements, Section 6 bans sale of tobacco products to minors, Section 6B prohibits sale of tobacco products within 100 yards from schools and colleges.