Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Deputy commissioners to ensure strict implementation of the govt. directive
Chandigarh,The Punjab government has completely banned the sale of loose cigarettes and other loose tobacco items under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. The decision to this effect was taken as the loose items do not have the required pictorial health warnings on them, which was mandatory under section 7 of the COTPA 2003.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the government said that all the deputy commissioners have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the government directive. They have been especially asked to keep a close vigil neareducational institutions, colleges and coaching institutes, schools, factories, offices and ensure complete ban on sale of single stick cigarettes and all kinds of tobacco products within 100 yards of these institutions. Anybody violating the directive would be dealt with strictly, he added. He also said that nicotine in chemical form in the form of e-cigarette has already been declared as illegal.
Special district level task force has been constituted that would conduct surprise raids in all the districts to ensure strict compliance of the orders. The teams would submit the monthly details to the state Tobacco Control Cell of the chalans issued and action taken against the violators, he added.
