Do not get associated with tobacco companies: DC warns govt depts

Udupi: Government departments have been warned by the Deputy Commissioner of the district, Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, to not to get involved with in any way with firms indulging in production and sale of tobacco products.

Speaking after presiding over the quarterly meeting of the district tobacco control unit and district level anti-tobacco cell held at the office of the deputy commissioner here on Tuesday, the DC that it would be ill-advised to participate in programmes and functions partnered by tobacco companies, and asked the departments to refrain from receiving any grants, donations, or equipment from such concerns.

Not abiding with these norms will be clear violation of tobacco policy and rules framed by World Health Organization, she warned.

Speaking after the meeting, District surveillance officer, Dr Vasudev, stated that the work on creating awareness against tobacco abuse with primarily focusing on high school and PU students has been attended every year and an anti-tobacco committee has been formed with the specific purpose of informing students about dangers regarding tobacco use.

Sign boards announcing Kaup and Malpe beaches as no smoking zones have been displayed and awareness programmes have been organized on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) squad of the district has registered 426 cases of violations of the act between April and June this year and collected fine of Rs 45,550, he informed