Tobacco sale rampant in lower Kangra

Rajiv Mahajan

Nurpur, September 17

Notwithstanding the ban imposed by the then Prem Kumar Dhumal government in 2012 on the import, transportation, stocking and sale of chewable tobacco, these products are being sold clandestinely in lower Kangra areas, bordering Punjab.

‘Gutka’, ‘khaini’ and chewable tobacco products are not available in shops, but consumers can easily procure them in black market by paying a higher price than the printed.

The addicts have identified the vendors, who provide banned tobacco products to them. The sellers transport and stock these products from Pathankot, neighbouring Punjab, and sell them clandestinely to regular buyers.

Labourers and migrants are habitual consumers of these products. Vendors in Nurpur, Jawali, Fatehpur and Indora subdivisions are selling the banned products with impunity as there is no check by any government authority.

After the ban was imposed on these products, the vendors have started selling them at higher prices and the habitual consumers have never raised an objection to overcharging. A packet of Rs 10 is being sold for Rs 15 to Rs 20, and that of Rs 5 is being sold for Rs 10.

Surinder Sharma, sub divisional police officer, Nurpur, while cautioning the vendors to not indulge in illegal sale of banned tobacco products, said the police would take action against offenders.