Special teams to check anti-tobacco law violations in D.K

Team Udayavani, Dec 17, 2019, 2:51 PM IST

Mangaluru: The district administration has decided to constitute taluka-level teams to monitor businesses and catch violators of tobacco control laws.

Similar teams were already working in the district’s urban areas and now they have been extended to all talukas of the district. The taluk-level teams will have about 12-15 members comprising the tahsildar, deputy tahsildar and the revenue officers, health officers and police officials of the taluk.

Most of the consumption of tobacco happens in rural areas through small kiosks and wine shops, the district administration had been following this and hence decided to stringently implement the law in such places. It was also found that illicit tobacco sales is still continuing and bidi and cigarettes are also being sold within 100 metres of schools in many villages.

Tobacco consumption and use of lighter and match sticks in public places and non-placement of panels with tobacco use warnings by small shops is punishable with a fine of Rs. 200. Illicit selling of tobacco products attracts a fine of Rs. 1000 or 2 years imprisonment or both. Also, if tobacco manufacturers fail to print warning pictures on their packages then they are liable to pay a fine of Rs. 5000.