Officials target shopkeepers to curb smoking in public
Even as a total ban on smoking in public is yet to become a reality, the authorities have initiated several steps to discourage the sale of loose cigarettes and offering free match boxes or lighters by shopkeepers in an effort curb smoking in public. A couple of days back, several shopkeepers on Brigade Road, M.G. Road and Church Street were issued warnings by the police and some of them were even fined.
“We were warned by the police not to sell loose cigarettes and not to even offer lighters or matchboxes. I was even fined Rs 2,000,” said Rajan, shopkeeper on Brigade Road. The strict enforcement by the police comes in the wake of the state home ministry issuing a circular to the police to effectively implement the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act.
Police have been asked to book cases against violators of the Act and those found smoking and selling tobacco products in public places should be included in monthly crime statistics. A copy of this will be sent to the Union ministry. “Shopkeepers are being warned against selling cigarettes in loose to discourage minors from smoking. We also have been carrying out several raids on hookah parlours where youngsters frequent,” said Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime (East ) B. Dayananda.
Anti-tobacco campaigners claim that initiating action against shopkeepers will certainly discourage minors from getting hooked to the smoking habit. “It has mostly been noticed that it is usually minors who buy loose cigarettes as they may not be able to afford packets or for fear of getting caught with cigarette packets. “If the authorities keep up their good work, we can certainly see a considerable drop in minors getting into the habit of smoking,” said Dr Upendra Bojani of the Institute of Public Health.
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