Mangaluru to become Tobacco free city

• Three cities along with Mangaluru to implement this scheme
• To begin in 15 days

Mangaluru: The state government, with the aim to convert cities into ‘Tobacco Free Cities’ has chosen Mangaluru, Tumakuru and Mysuru cities for the experimental implementation of its plan.

Through this plan, laws will be created to bring a complete ban on smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco at government departments/institutions/corporation/ district administration/ bus stops and public places in the cities. This plan will be implemented from the next week and aims to convert the city into ‘Tobacco Free City’ in four months. Thus, by December, the city is expected to be Tobacco free.

Soon to be implemented

The district Tobacco Control Cell officials and NGO leaders will soon start the programme of giving information to the related government departments including D.K. Deputy Commissioner, RTO office, KSRTC, private bus stand, excise department, police department, education department, corporation, MUDA, ZP’s and TP’s. Urban Development and Housing U T Khader is expected to initiate this plan in Mangaluru in a few days.

Though there is a rule that prohibits smoking of cigarettes in public places, it is not a hard rule. Therefore, the city has been selected under the governemtn’s pilot project with aim to make this rule a hard rule. This plan will be implemented according to the state government’s directive, under the health department and district tobacco control cell in association with NGO’s and other government departments including the district administration, police department, transport department, excise department, local administration and other departments.

Fine to be levied by the related department

On completion of the Tobacco free City’ drive, the responsibility of maintaining the rule will lie in the hands of the particular related institution. In other words, for smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco within the limits of the prescribed department/institution, fine will be levied by the related departments itself.

Compulsory ‘Tobacco Free Zone’ boards

All public places in the city including government departments, shops, malls, educational institution limits, private-government buses, bus stops, bar and restaurant and other public places must compulsorily display a ‘Tobacco Free Zone’ board.

To begin in 15 days

“Information has come from the government about the aim to convert Mangaluru into a ‘Tobacco Free City’. In this back drop, officials for the district tobacco control cell with assistance from NGO’s will will visit all government departments and public places to give information on the tobacco free initiative. There is a possibility that it’ll be initiated within 15 days,” said Dr. Rajesh, an official of the district tobacco control cell.

Bus conductors to levy fine

“KSRTC bus stand is getting prepared for the ‘Tobacco Free City’ initiative. Currently, initial information programme are being carried. In future, all the3 buses will implement the programme. If there are instance where a passenger is seen smoking a cigarette or chewing tobacco in the bus, the bus conductor himself will levy the fine on the errant,” said Deepak Kumar, KSRTC Mangaluru Division Controller.