Mandya District Takes Bold Step with Tobacco-Free Village Declaration
In a significant development for public health and community welfare, nine villages in Mandya district have been officially declared tobacco-free. Deputy Commissioner Kumara announced this milestone as part of a comprehensive strategy to build a drug-free society across the region.
Enforcement Actions Yield Substantial Results
The district administration has demonstrated strong commitment through rigorous enforcement measures. Between April 2025 and December 2025, authorities registered 601 cases specifically targeting the illegal sale and consumption of intoxicants in public spaces. These enforcement efforts resulted in the collection of fines amounting to Rs 64,430, sending a clear message about zero tolerance toward substance abuse violations.
Innovative Awareness Campaigns Engage Youth
A particularly impactful initiative involved a large-scale letter-writing campaign that mobilized educational institutions throughout Mandya. More than 10,000 school and college students participated by writing heartfelt letters to their parents, detailing the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drug abuse.
Deputy Commissioner Kumara observed that messages conveyed by children carry exceptional emotional weight and are more likely to inspire positive behavioral changes among parents and family members. This student-led approach represents a creative method to foster community-wide dialogue about substance abuse prevention.
Multi-Channel Communication Strategy
To amplify awareness efforts, officials have been instructed to develop audio jingles focusing on the dangers of smoking, tobacco consumption, and alcohol abuse. These educational messages will be broadcast through an unconventional but effective medium: waste collection vehicles operated by both city municipal bodies and village panchayats.
This innovative approach ensures that anti-drug messages reach households across both urban and rural areas, utilizing existing infrastructure to maximize community penetration.
Strengthening Protection Around Educational Institutions
The district administration has placed special emphasis on safeguarding educational environments. Despite existing legal prohibitions against selling tobacco products within 100 meters of schools and colleges, violations persist through small retail establishments operating near these sensitive zones.
Teachers have been directed to play an active monitoring role by identifying illegal vendors and promptly reporting them to relevant authorities for immediate action. This collaborative approach between educators and enforcement agencies aims to create protective buffers around learning institutions.
Comprehensive Urban Enforcement Measures
In urban areas, Deputy Commissioner Kumara has mandated strict enforcement against establishments violating tobacco control regulations. The administration will cancel trade licenses of businesses found illegally selling tobacco products within city limits, demonstrating serious consequences for non-compliance.
Additional awareness measures include:
- Installation of educational posters at high-traffic locations including bus stands, railway stations, and parks
- Targeted awareness programs for engineering, medical, and degree college students
- Vigilance against illegal cannabis cultivation in sugarcane fields and forest areas
The district administration has committed to identifying offenders involved in illicit cannabis cultivation and initiating stringent legal proceedings against them, addressing both supply and demand aspects of substance abuse.
This multi-faceted approach combining enforcement, education, and community engagement represents Mandya district's comprehensive strategy to create healthier, substance-free communities for all residents.
