Shivamogga District and Sessions Judge Manjunath G.A. has called upon the youth to cultivate good habits that enrich their lives rather than bad habits for momentary pleasures.

Mr. Manjunath spoke after flagging off an awareness drive to sensitise youth on the dangers of tobacco consumption and to encourage cultivating healthy habits, in Shivamogga on Wednesday.

Adolescents are vulnerable to various attractions and peer pressure that may lead them towards bad habits. However, by exercising control over the mind and adopting good habits such as reading books, listening to music, learning new skills, the youth can lead a meaningful life, he said.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer K.S. Nataraj explained the severe health consequences of tobacco consumption, stating that it could lead to cancer, heart problems and respiratory ailments. “Tobacco smoke contains approximately 7,000 chemical substances, of which 69 are carcinogenic. Globally, more than 60 lakh deaths occur annually due to tobacco use, with one death occurring every six seconds,” he said.

Senior Civil Judge Santosh M.S., who is also member secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, highlighted the legal framework against tobacco sales. Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), Section 6 makes it a punishable offence to sell tobacco products to minors or to procure them on behalf of minors. Section 6B prohibits tobacco sales within 100 metres of educational institutions, and school principals are mandated to display name plates against such violations.

District surgeon Dr. Geetha M., Additional SP A.G. Cariappa, District surveillance officer Dr. Nagaraj Naik and others were present.

The awareness drive on the theme “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction" was organised jointly by the District Legal Services Authority, district administration, Zilla Panchayat, the Health and Family Welfare Department, Tobacco Control Cell, Subbaiah Medical and Dental Institute, District Government Hospital, Bar Association, and other organisations.