Checking & seizure of tobacco products continues

YUPIA, Oct 30: In pursuant to its commitment towards ongoing nationwide ‘Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 2.0’, the Papum Pare district administration led by CO-cum-Town Magistrate, Doimukh, Nyalisa Raji and Trade Development Officer (Yupia) Tai Arun conducted surprise checking of shops in Tigdo village under Doimukh circle giving special attention to shops around educational institutions.

The general public and shopkeepers specially those who are running shops near schools were sensitized on COTPA 2003, Juvenile Justice Act 2015, trade related rules and the objectives of Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2.0. The Section 6 of the COTPA or Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 “prohibits the sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18, or within 100 yards of an educational institution.”

During the checking, many unauthorized items like cigarettes and tobacco products, petrol and liquors were seized and the shopkeepers selling them illegally were penalized as per the provisions of the law. Further, on the request of shopkeepers, few trading licenses were renewed on the spot by the Trade Development Officer.

Later, all the seized items were disposed off at the premises of Doimukh SDO office in the presence of SDO Kipa Raja, and inspection team members including Trade & Commerce officials, and police personnel.