Mission Tandarust Punjab : E-Cigarettes & Illicit Tobacco Products Seized In Raid At Amritsar

5 Dariya News

Chandigarh 12-Jul-2018

Punjab Government has initiated a state wide crusade to curb use of tobacco and habit making products to save children and youth across the State under ‘Mission Tandarust Punjab’. The special enforcement drives are being conducted in all the districts of Punjab for the strict implementation of the Anti Tobacco Laws in the state.Giving details here today, an official spokesperson of the Government, said that acting swiftly on a complaint, a team of Health department comprising District Nodal Officer – Dr. Naresh Chawla, Dr. Sameer and Mr.Baljit Kahlon had raided shop near the railway station at Amritsar. They were seized total number of 160 packets of illicit cigarettes, 4 E-cigarettes and 3 Hookah on the spot during the raid. He said that challan under COTPA, 2003 were also issued against the violators.The spokesperson further said that Cigarette & Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA 2003) has been strictly implemented in the state of Punjab. It is being monitored at State level by Additional Chief Secretary Health & Family Welfare and at District Level by Deputy Commissioners. He said that scented/ flavored chewable tobacco products, imported and E- cigarettes have been banned in the state under Food Safety and Standard act.Dr. Areet Kaur, State Nodal Officer, Tobacco Control, Punjab said Punjab is a pioneer state to ban E cigarettes under Drug and Cosmetics act in the country. She said that Two Court cases in Districts Mohali and Sangrur have already been decided and sellers of E-cigarettes were penalized with fine and imprisonment under Drug and Cosmetic Act. These are the first such cases decided by the court in India and amongst very few globally. She said that to permanently ban Hookah/Hookah bars in the state, a bill has been passed by the Legislative assembly in March 2018.