Dimapur, May 17 (MExN): Despite the nationwide ban on selling tobacco products within a 100-metre radius of educational institutions, shop keepers are still selling thee banned items.
According to a press release, trainees from NEISSR along with District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) staff and supervision of Dimapur police (East Police station) as part of the anti-tobacco campaigns conducted surprise checking at Burma Camp, Walford and Northern Angami on May 17.
Altogether seven offenders were caught selling tobacco products in the shops around the nearby schools. Actions were reinforced by ceasing the products and were burned. A fine of Rs. 200 was imposed to the offenders with a warning making them aware about the inappropriate action in selling tobacco products near schools and colleges area.
The team included Medo, social worker at DTCC and Zhokuto ASI from East Police Station along with their members and NEISSR MSW trainees with Chenithung Kikon, Imnayangla Jamir and Porhosie Ngouri.
According to the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) ; it is against the law to smoke in public places, including work places, advertise tobacco products, selling of tobacco products to children under 18 years of age, sell tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of schools and colleges and sell tobacco products without pictorial warnings.
According to Global Adult Tobacco survey (GATs 2 2016 -2017) Nagaland is placed as 7th position under North East India for consumption of both smoked and smokeless tobacco products. The main purpose was to reinforce the COTP Act, 2003 amended by the Government of India under section 6A and 6B to safeguard the schools children from substance abuse in order to bring down the consumption rate.
