SHILLONG, AUG 7: A meeting in connection with the National Tobacco Control Programme and Enforcement of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) was held Wednesday under the chairmanship of Sanjay Goyal, East Khasi hill deputy commissioner office with officers from various district offices, representatives from NEHU, colleges, Taxi Drivers association and cinema operators.
During the meeting the notification from the Union Ministry of Health and family Welfare issued on 30th May, 2008 prohibiting smoking in public places was discussed. According to the notification smoking is also prohibited in any place to which the public have access like hotels, restaurants, coffee houses, pubs, bars, airport lounges, auditorium, hospitals, stadium, public offices, court buildings, educational institutions, libraries, public conveyances, railway station, bus stop/stand and other such places visited by the general public.
The meeting also discussed the cigarettes and other tobacco products Act-2003 (COTPA) concerning sections prohibiting sale of tobacco products within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution. It was also decided in the meeting that in order to enforce the tobacco control in the district in a big way, the district administration will conduct regular checking in all the public places including public conveyances such as Taxi, Sumo, buses, etc. and impose fine of Rs 200.00 (Two hundred) to offender relating to smoking in public places and sale of Tobacco products to minor.
To ensure proper enforcement of the Act, the meeting also felt that public should cooperate with the district administration by reporting to the number 100 of the police, 2222277(police control), 2223451 (Sadar traffic).
The district administration also requested the public to report to the concerned authority if they found any taxi’s driver, including those driving sumo and buses, smoking while conveying driving the passengers.-By Our Reporter
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