PASIGHAT Nov 29: With the East Siang District Administration taking strict view on sale of tobacco products near schools and other educational institutions in East Siang to protect the health and well being of future generations and implementing the COTPA (Cigarettes and other Tobacco products Act) provisions, joint enforcement teams conducted surprise checkings and seized   tobacco products and also imposed penalty on  50 shopkeepers selling tobacco products violating the provisions. 
As per Section 6(b) of COTPA 2003, selling any kind of tobacco products within 100 yards of school area is strictly prohibited. Under this, 50 shopkeepers were penalized and massive amount of Tobacco products approximately weighing 230kg worth lakhs were seized and subsequently destroyed.
The Joint team team also conducted surprise checkings on Tobacco product wholesalers in Pasighat Township under Section 7 of COTPA, which mandates that no person can produce, supply, distribute or import any tobacco product unless every tobacco product package carries a specified warning including a pictorial warning as may be prescribed by the rules. A large cache of dried tobacco leaves of 160kg (approx.) with a retail value estimated at Rs.64, 000/- (approx.) were seized and as many as 5 shops were penalized under this section.
It may be mentioned that under the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0 which was launched on 24thSeptember 2024 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India with an objective to protect the health and well-being of young people from the harmful effects of Tobacco, a phase wise enforcement checking was conducted on different dates at various locations. 
In total, 390 kg (approx.) tobacco products were seized and the fine imposed amounted to Rs. 13,800/-. After proper documentation, the seized products were destroyed in the dumping area in presence of the Magistrate and all the enforcement squad members in accordance with the prescribed rule. The shopkeepers were directed to abide by the COTPA provision, and were strictly cautioned that frequent checking would be done in the coming days.  DIPRO

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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