A new app will help authorities reduce public cigarette smoking.
Story so far: The Karnataka Tobacco Control Cell (TCC) launched a GPS-based mobile application called ‘Stop Tobacco’ on Tuesday. Stop Tobacco aims to protect non-smokers from passive smoke in public places.
- Anyone perturbed by a public smoker can take their picture and upload it on the app. The TCC squad will rush to the area to charge the person with a fine.
- The cell is currently focused on regulating cigarette shop owners who allow people to smoke near their shops. According to the authorities, since reaching smokers in time might prove difficult, fining shop owners would be a reasonable solution.
Why it matters? In Karnataka, out of 22.8% of adults who use tobacco products, 8.8% are smokers, and 16.3% use other tobacco products. Generally, tobacco usage begins at a young age. On a positive note, 21 villages in the state are tobacco-free.