Impose total ban on smoking, Collector tells officials

Kakinada: East Godavari District Collector D Muralidhar Reddy advocated for a total ban on smoking in public places. It was essential in view of public health and necessary steps should be taken by imposing fines as per the provisions of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (COPTA) Act 2003.

The Collector made this observation at the law enforcement meeting on the implementation of COPTA Act here on Saturday. He directed the officials to identify the vulnerable points for smoking and non-smoking habits like Gutka and other material in the district to take up corrective measures.

He also told them to fix the targets for imposing a fine for violating the provisions of the Act and those who collect the highest amount through penalties would be felicitated.

Dr E Prasanth, programme officer, National Tobacco Control Programme who also attended this meeting said that smoking was affecting 52 percent of adults in society and 38 percent TB deaths were reported due to smoking.

SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi , P Siva Shankar, state legal consultant, G Rajakumari,JC2, Dr B Satya Susheela, DMHO, Dr R Ramesh, district nodal officer and others were also present on the occasion.