The Aman Sandesh Times

Friday, Date: Mar 29, 2024 Time: 10:59 am

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Mohali: Taking strict action against violators 30 challans were issued and a fine worth Rs 3300 was collected by the anti-tobacco team of District Health Department.
Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition) (COTPA) Act, 2003.
Civil Surgeon Dr Adarshpal Kaur and Anti-Tobacco Nodal Officer Dr Navdeep Singh said that the team carried out surprise checks at around 40 kiosks, shops and street vendors selling tobacco products in different phase of Mohali.
Dr Adarshpal Kaur said that some street vendors were caught selling cigarettes without any pictorial warning on them where as some were selling imported cigarettes in violation of the Act.
During the raids, it was found that some food vendors were selling tobacco products, which is prohibited under the law and similarly, some street vendors were selling loose cigarettes.
Instructions were given to the violators to put out warnings on the health hazards due to tobacco use and about the anti-tobacco act. and were also asked to put out advertisements saying that they do not sell tobacco items to those below 18 years of age.
Section 4 of the Act prohibits smoking in public places and section 6 prohibits the selling of tobacco products to minors.
Civil Surgeon Mohali, said the raids will continue and strict action would be taken against the violators in future and appealed to the citizens to help the health department curb usage of tobacco products and also to effectively implement the anti-tobacco law.
She asked the shopkeepers and others to sell the tobacco products in compliance with the anti-tobacco law.
It may be noted that the district health department has been constantly carrying out Information, Education and Communication (IED) campaigns regarding the proper implementation of the COTPA Act and urging people to stop use of cigarettes and other tobacco products as these are detrimental to health.
Violations under COTPA
Smoking in public places.
Direct or indirect advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products to persons below 18 years of age.
Sale of tobacco products in an area within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution.
Sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products without mandatory 85 percent pictorial warning.

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