Khader hints at plan to stop tobacco cultivation

BENGALURU: Health and family welfare minister UT K hader on Saturday hinted at a long-term plan to stop tobacco cultivation in a phased manner in the state. "We canno t stop production of tobacco at one go. It has to be done in phases, say 15% in the first year, 10% in the second year and so on. We will hold a meeting with the departments of horticulture and agriculture and also with the tobacco welfare board to plan a scheme to encourage tobacco growers to try alternative crops," he said. He also urged farmers to grow medicinal plants which are in good demand. To a query on banning sale of cigarettes, Khader said he will study a report submitted in this regard and discuss the issue with chief minister Siddaramaiah. Tobacco Day On the occasion of World Tobacco Day on Monday, all schools will have a 15-minute awareness session from 9.30am. The Rs 2.88-crore fine amount collected for violating COTPA Act will be used for organizing public awareness programmes, the minister said. -TOI