Relentless efforts of the government- Rajasthan top the state list
Among the list of the states in the country which has fined violators of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in 2016-17, Rajasthan tops the list.
A total of 3.69 lakh people were fined according to the health department officials. Out of these over two lakh persons were fined only in the state. However, Karnataka has fined 1.46 lakh for flouting norms of COTPA in 2016-17.
Dr. Dholpuria who is the state nodal officer, tobacco control program said that it is a kind of a record in itself for the state that 2 lakh persons were fined in a single day; such a thing has not been reported from anywhere else.
What is COTPA?
COTPA also known as cigarette and other tobacco products act was introduced to prohibit the advertisement of and to provide for the regulation of the trade and commerce in, and production, supply and distribution of the cigarettes and other tobacco products and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The penalty for violation of provisions under COTPA includes prohibition on-
- Advertisements of cigarettes and other tobacco products
- the sale of tobacco products to minors
- the sale of tobacco around educational institutes
- sale of cigarette and other tobacco products without the specific health warning
- a person caught smoking in a public place
A 2-day meeting will be held in the state on June 29 and 30 in which the health department will review the activities conducted under COTPA. New strategies will be planned under the cigarette and other tobacco products act during the two-day meeting.
We hope that the relentless and smart measures taken by the government help our state to maintain its rank and the new plans and strategies under the COTPA contribute in making our state tobacco-free completely.
