Over Rs 5 cr collected for tobacco prohibition rules violation

More than Rs 5 crore was collected by the government as fine under various provisions of tobacco prohibition law between April 2012 and September 2015, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
As per information provided by different states, a total of Rs 5,42,48,708 challan was collected for 4,81,730 violations between April 2012 and September 2015.
"These were collected under various provisions of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisements and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) 2003," Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply.
At present, National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) is under implementation in 108 districts across 31 states in the country.

"The states governments/UTs of Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Mizoram, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have issued orders/notifications banning the sale of loose cigarettes," he said.
He said the government has taken measures, including enactment of COTPA, ratification of WHO framework convention on tobacco control, launching of NTCP in 2007-08, with the objective of creating awareness about harmful effects of tobacco consumption, reducing production and supply of tobacco products, ensuring effective implementation of the anti-tobacco laws and helping people quit tobacco use through Tobacco Cessation Centres.