Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Thursday directed Excise and police departments to strictly implement the anti-tobacco laws in the State by forming a working group.
Chairing a meeting of the State-level tobacco control committee, the Chief Secretary directed the Home Committee to form the working group and review progress of implementation of anti-tobacco laws regularly.
According to the laws, sale of tobacco is prohibited within 100 metre from the schools and all educational institution, tourist and religious campuses are to be declared tobacco-free zones. Shops selling tobacoo would be separated from general shops and they would have to obtain licence.
Health and Family Welfare Secretary Dr Promod Kumar Meherda presented updates for discussion. It was revealed that the number of nonsmoking tobacco users is more than smokers and 88 per cent of them consume tobacco daily.
Among others, DGP BK Sharma, Law Secretary Shashikant Mihsra, NHM Director Shalini Pandit and BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Choudhury were present.