Mysuru: In a move to curb tobacco menace in public places, officials of the District Health and Family Welfare Department, District Tobacco Control Cell and Ashokapuram Police carried out a special drive in city yesterday.

During the drive, the officials booked 14 cases against shopkeepers for not displaying instruction boards in their shops under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) Act and collected a fine of Rs. 1,810 from them.

The drive was carried out at bus stands on Adichunchanagiri Road in Kuvempunagar, Jayanagar and Ashokapuram.

Along with the raids, an awareness drive was also launched where shopkeepers were sensitised on the bad effects of tobacco. Such drives will be intensified in coming days and at Taluk 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.

At present, if a person is caught smoking in public places such as bus stands, Railway Stations, cinema halls, hospitals, libraries, Government hospitals and other public places, he or she is fined Rs. 200 under Section 4 of COTPA, either by Police or by the Corporation Health Officials.