Kohima: The Nagaland government has ordered mandatory display of tobacco signage in all government offices, schools, hotels and restaurants besides other public places within this month.
The government order has come in compliance of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 and it said the specified provisions under the Act included prohibition of smoking in public places.
The Government order has come in compliance of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 and the order said under COTPA, 2003 the following provisions are specified: prohibition of smoking in public places.
Violation of this provision carries a penalty of imprisonment of two years and a fine of Rs. 1000 or with both in the case of the first conviction.
In the case of second or subsequent conviction, penalty is imprisonment for 5 years and fine which extends to Rs 5000; prohibition of sale cigarette and tobacco products to person below the age of 18 years; prohibition of sale of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products within the radius of 100 yards of any educational institutions.
Public places as defined in the Act and the rules means any places to which the public has access whether as of right or not and includes all places visited by general public and includes: auditorium, hospital building/health institution, restaurant, public office, educational institution, public conveyance, stadium, bus stop, shopping mall, refreshment room, coffee house, bar, prison & jail, hospital building, amusement centre, hotel, court building, libraries, open auditorium, railway station, workplace, cinema hall, discotheques, pub, airport lounge, the order said. (UNI)