Shillong, May 10: an awareness programme “ On issues relating to Protection of Children from getting induce to Consumption of Tobacco Products”, was organised by the Sadar Police Station, Shillong in collaboration with Lions Club of Shillong at Sadar Police Station Complex. Keeping in view the rise in youths being addicted to tobacco consumption in the forms of cigarettes, chewing of tobacco etc., School Children and Teachers Community from various Schools in Shillong were invited to attend the programme along with the NGOs namely Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO), Reach Shillong Ministry Shillong, Child-line Shillong Legal Right Forum, Shillong and Medical Officer from Police Unit Hospital, Shillong. The Gutkha-Pan shop keepers and business community in Police Bazar area also attended the programme.
The Shop keepers were sensitized about the newly amended section 77 of Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act 2015 by which the selling of any Intoxicating Liquor or any Narcotic Drug or Tobacco products or Psychotropic Substances shall be punishable with rigorous Imprisonment which may extend to 7 years and shall be liable to a fine upto 1 (one) Lakh rupees.
The Speakers representing the various invited organisations and institution and from Police stressed on the menace of the tobacco consumption on the Physical and mental health of a person especially the youths and to counter the amended Stringent Punishment and huge fine was emphasised to deter the shop keepers of such sales to the minors.
Pamphlets & Banners on the subject were also distributed among the attending Schools representations and Shop Keepers with a request to paste the message in the conspicuous location of School campus and in front of the Pan- Shop to create and spread awareness among the general public.
Similar Programme was also conducted at Sohra Sub-Division by the Sohra Police Station on 7.05.2016 at Rama Krishna Mission School Sohra, involving various stake holders. Other areas under the district will also be covered in the coming weeks.
The objective of the programme is to sensitize the Shopkeepers and others of the newly Amended Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act 2015, which laid down Stringent Punishment for those selling tobacco products or Cigarettes to minors.
