Ban cigarette sales in residential areas: RWAs to Dr G Parameshwar

Bengaluru: BBMP may ban shops selling cigarettes and tobacco related product in residential areas, as many resident welfare associations have complained that they attract youths who cause nuisance.

During a recent meeting of various resident welfare associations with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwar and BBMP officials, they spoke at length about the rampant commercialisation of residential layouts and how it was inconveniencing them.

While the minister told the BBMP officers to take immediate action by closing shops functioning without licence and located in roads less than 40 feet wide, the residents’ associations complained that it is the petty shops selling cigarettes that were attracting crowds.

A senior officer from BBMP said, “The residents said that small outlets such as bakeries, provision stores and others sell cigarettes and people come to smoke and create nuisance. They also loiter in the area, perform bike stunts and disturb peace in the area.”

“The minister also discussed the matter and directed officials to take necessary action against such menace. The senior officers also discussed the issue with the residents and
they are planning to implement a ban on sale of cigarettes in shops located in residential places,” the officer added.

Another officer said that a letter will be sent to the police department to co-ordinate with the BBMP officials while carrying out the drive. “We will start directing the shop owners in residential places to stop selling cigarettes and tobacco related products. If they refuse to comply, we will close them,” he added.

The officer mentioned that this particular issue has been raised several times by the residents associations, but nothing was done so far.

“It is a serious concern, as residents are at the receiving end. We will draw a plan and start implementing it at the earliest and inform the police department
about the plan and take the required help,” the officer said.