Mysuru:  With an objective of making Mysuru city  as a tobacco-free city under COTPA (Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act), the District administration in association with Zilla Panchayat, District Health and Family Welfare Department and the District Tobacco Control Cell, had conducted a workshop for medical officers of Primary Health Centres of the District at a hotel here recently.

Speaking after inaugurating the workshop, DHO Dr. Venkatesh said that it was the department’s responsibility to maintain the health of children, youths, women and all others who are non-smokers, while at the same time it is also equally important that the law is maintained.

Maintaining that all bars and restaurants have been ordered to bar smoking in their premises, he said that strict action will be taken against those violating COTPA.

He further called upon the public to extend their support in making the city a tobacco-free city before Dasara.

District Surveillance Officer Dr. T. Shivaprasad who spoke about the importance of the workshop, said that smoking has been completely banned at public places like bus stands, railway station, theatres, hotels, bars and restaurants, pubs, clubs, community halls, public offices etc.,

Stating that many persons have fallen victim to smoking, Dr. Shivaprasad stressed on the need for strict implementation of COTPA.

Highlighting the importance of ensuring the health of non-smokers, he sought the co-operation of the Excise Department for effective enforcement of Sections 4,5,6A,6B and 7 of COTPA, 2003. He further said that only those hotels and restaurants which have a minimum of 30 rooms or 30 seats can designate a ‘smoking zone’ only after getting license from the City Corporation.

Psychologist R. Jyothi, anti-tobacco activist Naveedullah Shariff, Bengaluru Maya Samsthe’s Jitin Chandran and others were present.