Punjab Government has decided to strongly implement the Tobacco Vends Fees Act — aimed at regulating the retail sale of manufactured tobacco in urban areas. With this, no sale of tobacco would be allowed in the State through unlicensed vends.
Already, the State Government had issued directions to all Municipal Corporation Commissioners to ensure closure of all tobacco vends or shops in the State running without any license under Punjab Tobacco Vends Fees Act-1953.
The announcement was made by the State Family Welfare Director Dr HS Bali during the celebrations of ‘Punjab State No Tobacco Day’ on Sunday.
“With the approval of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab State No Tobacco Day will be celebrated all over Punjab on November 1 every year. This year, the theme for the tobacco day is ‘No Unlicensed Sale of Tobacco: ‘Stay Healthy — Say No To Tobacco’,” said Dr Bali.
A State level rally was flagged of by Dr Bali, accompanied by Mohali Civil Surgeon Dr Neelam Bhardwaj from Mohali’s Phase VII. The initiative was supported by Indian Medical Association, Punjab; bikers from Himalayan Chapter Chandigarh (Harley Davidson Club); Generation Savior Association, SNEHA and various other NGOs.
Similar rallies and special campaigns will also be organized in all districts from November 1 to 7.
“The aim of this campaign is to reduce prevalence of tobacco or nicotine use in Punjab in order to reduce prevalence of non-communicable diseases and to enhance public awareness about preventing various non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases and tuberculosis by pledging not to use tobacco or nicotine,” said Dr Bali.
He reiterated that sale of loose cigarettes or tobacco, chewable tobacco products and e-cigarettes was completely banned in Punjab. “Strict action under law would be taken against the shopkeepers who violate various provisions of COTPA and FSSAI,” he said.
“license of a commercial establishment can be cancelled in case of violation of Tobacco Control Act as per latest notification of Punjab Government,” he said.
Dr Bali also said that any commercial establishment having license under Food Safety and Standards Act are not allowed to sell tobacco products and the officials of Excise department have been requested to keep a periodic check sale of illicit or contraband tobacco products.
He also appealed to the common people to help Government in this endeavour.