Davanagere has become the first City in Karnataka to implement Tobacco Vendor Licensing (TVL) for regulating the sale of tobacco products in commercial shops.
The Davanagere City Corporation has begun implementing the TVL in the city with the support of the Health and Family Welfare Department under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), following sustained pressure from the Indian Medical Association, and advocates of health and child rights activists. NTCP, Karnataka, is the nodal agency in implementing the project.
There are around 2000 shops selling cigarettes, beedi and other tobacco products in the city. Already licenses have been issued to 30 shops having trade licenses. Over 100 shop owners have submitted applications seeking licenses for selling products. The license fee is ₹500 and it is valid for five years. Licenses to petty shops would be issued in the second phase with the permission of the City Corporation authorities, officials told The Hindu.
