The Karnataka government is planning to increase the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21.
This comes amid various announcements, which were also made by the ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao and B Nagendra.
The minister announced that to deal with prevailing extended usage of tobacco products and hookah among the youths, the government plans to introduce a legislation to ban hookah bars in the state as well as raise the legal age to buy tobacco related products such as cigarettes.
Previously the age was 18 under the cigarettes and other tobacco products act (COPTA) But due to engagement of youngsters in this gateway of drugs now state has decided to ban the hookah doesn’t make relevant changes.
Ministers while announcing remarked that youth between 12 to 27 are getting addicted to drugs as it cannot be verified what is given to them on the name of flavours and various unauthorised HOOKAH BARS have been opened too, So amendments are required.
Amongst these changes, it was further announced that the sale or purchase of tobacco products will be banned under 100 meters of places like educational institutions, place of worship, health care institutions, parks, anganwadi centres and public offices. Currently COPTA only prohibits smoking in public places and sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of buffer zone of educational institutions.
These changes are said to be implemented as amendments in the Winter session of the state legislature and the government will escort to police authorities to enforce this ban.
WRITTEN BY : VIDHI MAHAJAN , A BALLB STUDENT FROM GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY, AMRITSAR AND A LEGAL INTERN UNDER LEGAL VIDHIYA
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