ATF joins issue with Eshwarappa

Taking exception to Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) K.S. Eshwarappa’s reported intervention to stall punitive action against shopkeepers selling cigarettes in violation of the

Taking exception to Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) K.S. Eshwarappa’s reported intervention to stall punitive action against shopkeepers selling cigarettes in violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) guidelines in Shivamogga, the Anti-Tobacco Forum (ATF) has urged authorities to hold a workshop to create awareness of the tobacco control laws among Ministers, MLAs, MPs and other people’s representatives

“It is unfortunate and conflicting that Mr. Eshwarappa, a senior politician, has interfered with the police officials, who were carrying out lawful enforcement of tobacco control rules and regulations of COTPA in Shivamogga. It is not clear whether the Minister is aware of COTPA and WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) protocol guidelines”, said ATF convenor Vasanthkumar Mysoremath.

Pointing out that COTPA had empowered officers of more than 25 Government departments including Police, Education, Agriculture, and Horticulture, besides officials of the RDPR that he himself heads, to conduct raids on shops selling tobacco products in violation of rules laid down in COTPA, Mr. Mysoremath urged the High Power Committee on State Tobacco Control to conduct an awareness workshop on COTPA and FCTC protocol for the people’s representatives.