New Delhi: Want to light a cigarette at a public place, think twice. 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 here on Saturday .
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 campign is supported by Max India Foundation.
"Police can play a role in reversing this largest reversible cause of death and disease. Delhi Police will take strict action on COTPA-2003. 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.
"Penalties will be imposed as per the law where there is non-compliance. Police department is committed to enforcing COTPA and making the national capital a model city," Kamraj said.
Dr Harit Chaturvedi, VoTV patron and Chairman Max Oncology, said "I am seeing younger and younger patients coming to my OPD with tobacco-related cancers. Support from Delhi Police is commendable. Such initiatives are bound to bring the prevalence down".
