Shillong August 07:A meeting in connection with the National Tobacco Control Programme and Enforcement of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) was held on 7th August, 2013 under the chairmanship of Shri Sanjay Goyal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Shillong at his office. Officers from various District offices, representatives from NEHU, colleges, Taxi Drivers association and cinema operators in Shilong attended the meeting.
It was highlighted in the meeting that the Notification from the Ministry of Health and family Welfare, Government of India was issued on 30th May, 2008, prohibiting smoking in Public places or any place to which the public have access, whether as of right or not , and includes, 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.
Further,the cigarettes and other tobacco products Act-2003 (COTPA) was also discussed 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 public are aslo requested to cooperate with the district administration by reporting to the number 100 of the police, 2222277(police control), 2223451 (Sadar traffic) if they found any taxi’s driver including sumo and buses are smoking while conveying the passengers or in public places.(SP News)
