Want to light a cigarette at a public place, think twice. The Delhi police has decided to strictly enforce a fine of Rs 200 on smoking in public places.
Want to light a cigarette at a public place, think twice. The Delhi police has decided to strictly enforce a fine of Rs 200 on smoking in public places.
As per the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, smoking in public places is banned and those who violate the law will be slapped a fine of Rs 200.
“We will henceforth fine those who will smoke in public spaces in the national capital under COTPA because when you are smoking in a public space, you are not only endangering your own but even other people’s lives,” said special commissioner of police (law and order) P. Kamraj, who released the COTPA guideline booklet at an event.
The Delhi police collaborated with two city-based NGOs, Sambandh Health Foundation and Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV), to save the future generations of Delhi from ill-effects of tobacco. The campaign is supported by Max India Foundation.
“The police can play a role in reversing this largest reversible cause of death and disease. Delhi Police will take strict action on COTPA-2003. The police force itself suffers from usage of tobacco. We will educate owners of public places such as educational institutes, malls, coffee shops, restaurants, bars and other organisations about the law.
Chief executive officer, Max India Foundation, Mohini Daljeet Singh said that a key pollutant in Delhi is tobacco consumption. “Craze amongst youth for different forms of tobacco is increasing, thus this campaign is very important. Max India Foundation is glad to be associated with the campaign and will continue to support the preventive initiative to create healthy capital of India,” said Mr Singh.
