21% spike in compliance to ‘no smoking signs’

A survey conducted by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike(BBMP) and Bengaluru City Police(BCP) released on Friday reveals that in the last one year, Bengaluru city has seen 21% increase in the compliance to display of ‘no smoking signage’ in public places.

In the eight BBMP zones, South zone being the best jurisdiction when it comes to implementation of tobacco control-related laws.

Directing the BBMP and BCP to implement action against the public smoking, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, said, “it is shocking that, people are smoking near education institutions and hospitals, stern rules have to be implemented.”

“After awareness programme by the Police on the drug menace the cases on the menace is coming down along with this we have to conduct awareness initiative on smoke-free Bengaluru,” he added.

According to the survey, 70.5% of public place smoking ban violations are found to be around the points of sale.

Mobile App to register complaints:

G Parameshwara, who also holds Bengaluru development minister portfolio launched smoke-free mobile applications. The application can be used by the public to register complaints related to public smoking. The app sends complaints to the tobacco control centre and the concerned authorities will take action.