Health department team issued challan to 14 for COTPA violation

A team of the Health Department issued 14 challans for violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) here today. Dr. Jaganjot Kaur, nodal officer of the National Tobacco Control Programme, said that a total of 27 cigarette sellers were checked during the campaign today. He said challans were issued to vendors in Kacheri Road, Mall Road and Ranjit Avenue areas.

He said a team led by Amardeep Singh issued challans to seven persons for violating the ban on smoking in public places. He said that smoking in public places is a crime. The health official said vendors cannot sell loose cigarettes and cigarette packets that do not have pictorial warning guidelines as per government specifications. He said that selling tobacco products to minors and setting up shops within a radius of 100 yards of an educational institution is also a crime.