COTPA curbs weak in twin cities amid staff crunch

Hubballi: Implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in Hubballi-Dharwad has largely remained limited to official records, with violations continuing openly across the twin cities.

Advertisements and promotional displays for tobacco products are being put up by paan-beeda shops and other vendors, aimed at attracting customers and normalising tobacco use in public spaces.

Despite restrictions on advertising and promotion, boards, posters, brand stickers and product displays are visible in busy commercial areas, near markets, schools and along prominent streets with high footfall.

A key administrative change has further weakened enforcement. From January, the Urban Development Department abolished the post of Medical Health Officer, which earlier handled public health enforcement, including COTPA compliance.

Following this, responsibility for enforcing COTPA was shifted to the environment engineer. However, this has not translated into effective action on the ground. The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), already facing a staff shortage, has been unable to conduct regular inspections, impose penalties consistently or ensure removal of illegal advertisements.

As a result, enforcement has remained sporadic and ineffective. Even along major roads and highways in the region, paan-beeda shops continue to prominently display tobacco advertisements, highlighting the lack of deterrence.

The continued visibility of such advertisements reflects weak monitoring and absence of sustained enforcement drives. Without dedicated staff, accountability and routine field action, COTPA exists more in principle than in practice in Hubballi-Dharwad.

When contacted, paan-beeda shop owners said companies offer incentives for displaying gutka, cigarettes and other tobacco products. They said rewards include televisions, refrigerators, travel bags, watches and other items. They added that while they display pan masala sachets, most customers prefer those combined with tobacco.

HDMC commissioner Rudresh Ghali admitted that staff shortage has affected the enforcement of COTPA and penal action against violators. He said strict action would be initiated soon, and the environment department would be directed to act swiftly against violations.