Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag presiding over the National Tobacco Control Program district coordination committee meeting on Saturday in Chamarajanagar. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag has directed officials to cancel the licenses of traders who repeatedly violate the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
Ms. Nag, who chaired a meeting of the National Tobacco Control Program Chamarajanagar District Coordination Committee at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday, said that the business licenses of tobacco vendors found to be repeatedly violating COTPA during inspections should be canceled without any leniency.
She asked officials tasked with implementing the National Tobacco Control Program to intensify enforcement activities, especially in urban areas.
With COTPA provisions banning the sale of beedis, cigarettes and other tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions, Ms. Nag said such areas should be declared as tobacco-free zones. “There should be 100% compliance across the district,” she said, before directing officials to impose the maximum possible penalty in cases where violations occur near educational institutions.
In areas with a high density of tobacco addiction, Ms. Nag suggested that awareness programs should be organized to focus on the harmful effects of tobacco consumption on the health of the individual and their families. During the next meeting, she asked for progress reports on special programs in this regard.
A tobacco-free village
With the district setting a target of declaring 68 villages as tobacco-free villages, Ms. Nag emphasized the need to strictly implement guidelines and norms in collaboration with all departments involved.
She said appropriate directions should be given to panchayat development officers in coordination with the health department.
Meanwhile, Chamarajanagar District Legal Services Authority Member Secretary and Senior Civil Judge Eshwara, who also addressed the meeting, said that tobacco use and smoking are prohibited in public places and only designated and approved zones should be used for such purposes.
He also favored extensive discussions at meetings on tobacco control and substance abuse law enforcement.
A number of officials including Chamarajanagar Area Health and Welfare Officer S. Chidambara, Chamarajanagar Area Surveillance Officer Sundaresh and others were present in the meeting.
Published – 18 October 2025 20:35 IST
