Health Dept challans 16 vendors for selling tobacco products in Bathinda

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 27

Officials of the district Health Department on Thursday conducted raids at several locations here and issued 16 challans and imposed fine on vendors selling tobacco products for violating the guidelines under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).

The officials began the raids from outside the Civil Hospital and after carrying inspections in various markets, reached the city railway station. Apart from tobacco sellers, those smoking in public places were also challaned.

Health Inspector Jaswinder Kumar said: “There has been witnessed a rise in number of complaints against the sale of loose cigarettes and smoking in public places. We conducted random checking, starting from Civil Hospital gate and then moved to Liberty Chowk, Mall Road, Bus Stand and outside the city railway station. A total of 16 challans were issued for violation of the COTPA and a fine of Rs 1,520 was imposed on violators.”

“Sellers of tobacco products who do not display boards stating that loose cigarettes are not sold by them and those who had employed children below 18 were issued challans. Many offenders were let off by giving them warning against violations of tobacco product norms.”

The officials also made sellers of tobacco products aware of the COTPA. They told them that the raids would continue in the coming days.