Tobacco order breach irks HC

Feb 03, 2011 - SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY |

Age Correspondent

New Delhi

After hearing that its order on banning the sale of tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of any educational schools or colleges in the city has not been properly implemented yet, the Delhi high court on Wednesday asked the Delhi police commissioner to initiate a departmental inquiry against the concerned police officers if any outlet was found selling tobacco products.
The court observed that tobacco addiction is a major cause of concern as several school or college going boys/ girls are adversely affected by it.
Warning the students about the harmful aspects of using tobacco products, the HC directed the Delhi police to effectively enforce the Control of Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and implement its previous order which stated that there is a complete ban against the tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of any educational schools or colleges in the national capital.
The bench also asked the police commissioner to set up a special squad for proper implementation of the law. The court passed the order after the petitioner NGO, World Lung Foundation, informed the bench that it had recently conducted a survey of 1,023 among the 5,106 total schools in Delhi and 28 of 323 colleges under the Delhi University and found outlets selling tobacco near the educational institutes.
Earlier, the court had directed the police commissioner to issue instructions to his subordinates to take steps against such outlets.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed by the NGO, which alleged that the COTPA was not implemented in the true spirit.
The Act covers prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution of tobacco products.

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