: Police personnel in plainclothes will be deployed at theatres in the city to apprehend those consuming alcohol and banned tobacco products in cinema halls.
A decision regarding deployment of the police at cinemas was taken at a meeting convened by District Collector Biju Prabhakar to review the implementation of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) in 2003.
An official release here said several complaints had been received on misuse of the premises of cinemas for consumption of alcohol and banned substances.
Theatre owners have been asked to inform the police about those indulging in such activities.
The closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) installed at theatres can be used to apprehend culpritsthe release said.
The Collector had asked the Police, Excise and Health Department officials to ensure that billboards with anti-smoking messages are displayed in public places, the release said.
