Punjab Government will soon initiate a massive campaign to protect children from the use of tobacco or nicotine addiction, alcohol and psychotropic substance. In a first step towards the same, the district authorities have been asked to take “strict action” against vendors selling tobacco products to the minors.
The State Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said that a vendor selling tobacco, alcohol and psychotropic substance to a minor must be booked under the Juvenile Justice Act 2015.
“An order has been issued to district authorities asking for action against such vendors,” he said adding that the health and other departments concerned would jointly carry out the campaign to make young people and the general public aware of laws such as the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and Cigarette and other Tobacco Product Act 2003 (COTPA) across the state.
Mohindra said that according to Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act, “Whoever gives, or causes to be given, to any child any intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance, except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner, would be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and would also be liable to a fine which may extend up to Rs one lakh.”
Under the Act, a “child” refers to those not yet 18, he said, adding that the Juvenile Justice Act has been in force in the country from January 15, 2016.
In addition, necessary directions have been issued to all Deputy Commissioners, Police Commissioners and he Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to ensure strict compliance with the Act.
The district authorities were also asked to submit monthly action taken reports to the State Government.
The state Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Anjali Bhawra said that recently, a team lead by Jalandhar ACP registered an FIR under the Juvenile Justice Act against a tobacco vendor, selling tobacco products to a minor which is the first case registered in Punjab.
Earlier, similar action has been taken in Maharashtra and Haryana, she said.
Bhawra said that accused venders, who sell tobacco and psychotropic products to the minors, would be caught under this campaign.
The state Director Health Services Dr Rajiv Bhalla said that exemplary punishment to errant vendors would reduce the incidence of tobacco intake among minors.
According to the ‘Global Adult Tobacco Survey Report (2009-10)’, every year, 1.60 lakh minors start using tobacco in Punjab. About 42 per cent of users took tobacco before they were 18.