The Dakshina Kannada district administration has instructed the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to enforce strict measures against shops selling tobacco products within a 100-meter radius of schools and colleges. Additional Deputy Commissioner Santhosh Kumar G emphasized the immediate cancellation of trade licenses for any shops violating this new regulation, which mandates a license for selling tobacco in urban areas under MCC jurisdiction.
During a district-level coordination committee meeting on the National Tobacco Control Programme 2024-25, Kumar urged the MCC to ensure that all tobacco-selling shops in other areas obtain the necessary licenses. He also directed the corporation to submit monthly compliance reports to the district administration. The MCC has been advised not to renew trade licenses for shops within the restricted zone if they continue to sell tobacco products.
Kumar also called on the labour department, District Tobacco Control Cell, and Wenlock District Hospital to collaborate on awareness drives targeting labour colonies, where excessive tobacco use has been observed. He stressed the importance of conducting raids and canceling licenses for shops selling tobacco near schools, colleges, anganwadis, and religious centers. He encouraged panchayat development officers in rural areas to take the lead in organizing campaigns against tobacco use.
The meeting also saw participation from DHO Dr. HR Thimmaiah, District Surveillance Officer Dr. Naveen Chandra Kulal, and other officials.