Mandya: Tobacco shops near schools raided

MANDYA: The Mandya district administration has launched a drive against shops selling tobacco products near educational institutions across the district.
The vendors who were found selling tobacco products are being fined for violating Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (Cotpa)- 2003. District health officer (DHO) Dr Dhananjay told TOI that a fine amount of Rs 4.86 lakh has been collected.
“The drive against tobacco use and sale in Mandya district is highest in the state. We have collected more than Rs 4.86 lakh fine from the violators. Raids on shops and people who smoke at public places are being intensified,” he said.
Dr Dhananjay said that the district-level committee, which is the enforcing body of implementation of Cotpa, keeps holding quarterly meeting to ensure its effective implementation.
“Our drive against tobacco use is a prolonged effort. We are concentrating on shops which are selling tobacco products within 100m radius of educational institutions. Also, we are fining persons who are smoking publicly and not complying with the provisions of Cotpa, including the one on pictorial warning,” he said, adding: “What is most shocking is the detection of ecigarettes which are prohibited in India. For the first time, we have seized e-cigarettes too.”
These banned products appear to have been smuggled into the district.
“We are coordinating the raids with other departments concerned. We are fully committed to implementing Cotpa in the district,” Dr Dhanajay said