PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Following the directions of the Dehradun chief medical officer Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, officials conducted an inspection and found 17 shops selling tobacco near a private university in the Premnagar police station area. A total of Rs 3,400 was collected in penalty from these sellers for selling tobacco products near an educational institution, which is banned under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
Acting on the Dehradun CMO’s directions, the District Tobacco Control Cell conducted inspections of shops in the Premnagar police station area in coordination with a police team. Out of 22 shops inspected around the university, 17 shops were found selling tobacco products in violation of COTPA. Many sellers were found selling tobacco products near the educational institution and some students were also seen smoking in public places. As a result, fine and challan actions were taken under the applicable sections of the Act, officials said.
District advisor of the Tobacco Control Cell Archana Uniyal, social workers Rekha and Anurag Uniyal along with police personnel carried out the checks. It addition to the sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, smoking in public places is also an offence under COTPA.
