Bengaluru, May 31 -- On World No Tobacco Day, the Karnataka government issued an important notification to protect 'public health' by banning the use of smokeless tobacco products in public places.

The action was taken by State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who brought an amendment to the COTPA Act and banned hookah, along with curbing smokeless tobacco products. This has now been recognised by the President, and a notification has been issued by the state government today.

From now on, not only smoking but also smokeless tobacco products cannot be consumed and vaped in public places in the state. Apart from cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products were harmful to public health.

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