Punjab Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani on Friday asked the Health Director to himself monitor the cases of violations of anti-tobacco act, especially open sale of loose cigarettes and chewable tobacco, which has already been banned under Food Safety Act (FSSAI).
The directions were given after the Minister acted swiftly on a complaint received by the department regarding violations of Cigarettes, and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, in the state.
Jayani said that the state health department has already chalked out an effective strategy to check the sale of tobacco and also the implementation of anti-tobacco act.
District level task Force along with the officials of Police Department has been conducting a surprise check at different points of sale of tobacco products to check violations as per complaints received by the department in this regard, he said.
The Minister said that wherever there was an open sale counter of loose cigarettes and chewable tobacco, the teams have been asked to immediately issue challans and the teams have been especially asked to keep a close watch on the outlets near markets, educational institutions, railway stations and bus stands.
On the spot challans have been issued under section 7 of COTPA against 15 tobacco vendors and one vendor was booked under section 5 of COTPA for displaying tobacco advertisement.
Three vendors were booked under FSSAI for sale of chewable tobacco. One Hukkah Bar was raided by the team. As many as 12 hukkahs, 22 pipes, flavoured tobacco and tobacco molasses were seized at various places across the state.
Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani reiterated that sale of loose cigarettes, tobacco and chewable tobacco products, e-Cigarettes were completely banned in Punjab.
“The concerted efforts of Punjab government got due recognition by WHO on World No Tobacco Day. Strict action under law would be taken against the shopkeepers who violate various provisions of COTPA and FSSAI,” he said.