Karnataka launched GPS-based mobile app ‘Stop Tobacco’

March 1, 2023 at 3:11:17 PM

Prohibition of Public Smoking, COTPA 2003

The Karnataka Tobacco Control Cell launched GPS-based mobile app ‘Stop Tobacco’ on February 28,2023. The app will protect non-smokers from being exposed to cigarette smoking in public places.
The mobile app will provide significant citizen participation in tobacco control activities.
If anyone is found to be violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA), all that needs to be done is to click a picture of the public place (not necessarily the person who is violating) and upload it on this mobile app.
Once the complainant enters details like the respective district, taluk and mobile number, the photo will reach the district tobacco control unit and the taluk tobacco control unit.
A squad of seven officials has been set up in districts across the state to enforce the rules. The State’s anti-tobacco squad will rush to the spot and levy penalty on the violator.
Under Section (4) of COTPA 2003, smoking in public places is prohibited and a violator can be fined Rs 200.
Dr Sridevi Deshpandey, state consultant, National Tobacco Control Programme, announced that 21 villages in Karnataka are free from tobacco.

Out of 22.8 per cent of adults in Karnataka who use tobacco products, 8.8 per cent are smokers and 16.3 per cent are using smokeless tobacco products.
Most youngsters start using tobacco at the early age of around 15 years or so without paying attention to its ill and life-threatening effects.