Director Health asked to monitor cases of violations of COTPA

Punjab government today asked Director Health to monitor the cases of violation of Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), especially the sale of loose cigarettes and chewable tobacco which are banned in the state.
In a statement issued here today, Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani said the state Health Department has already chalked out a strategy to check the sale of tobacco and to ensure the implementation of COTPA.
District level task force along with officials of police department have been asked to conduct surprise checks to check violations regarding sale of tobacco products as per complaints received in this regard, he said.

The minister said in case of an open sale counter of loose cigarettes and chewable tobacco, the teams will immediately issue challans. They have been especially asked to keep a close watch on outlets near markets, educational institutions, railway station and bus stands.
He said on the spot challans have been issued under COTPA against 15 tobacco vendors and one vendor was booked for displaying tobacco advertisement.
Three vendors were booked under Food Safety and Standard Act of India (FSSAI) for sale of chewable tobacco and 12 'hukkahs', 22 pipes, flavored tobacco and tobacco molasses were seized at various places across the state, he said.

The Health Minister said the sale of loose cigarettes/ tobacco and chewable tobacco products, e-cigarettes were completely banned in Punjab.