Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 31: Responding to strong public criticism, the state government has imposed a ban on all direct and indirect advertisements promoting the consumption of tobacco products on buses and at bus stands of the state’s four transport corporations.

Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy issued directions to officials in this regard on Friday.

In a note addressed to the managing directors of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), the minister ordered that the directive be implemented with immediate effect.

“In the interest of the public, I hereby direct that no advertisements directly or indirectly promoting the consumption of tobacco products shall be displayed on buses or at bus stands of the transport corporations with immediate effect,” Ramalinga Reddy stated.

The minister further instructed that if such advertisements are already being displayed on buses or at bus stands, a specific timeframe should be fixed for their removal.