SHILLONG: In an attempt to tackle tobacco abuse among youngsters, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, PS Dkhar has issued a prohibitory order warning to the shopkeepers who sell cigarettes and other tobacco products to any person who is below 18 years of age.
In a statement released to the Press, the Deputy Commissioner has informed that the district administration has prohibited the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors at market places and in an area which is within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution.
Further, he stated that such vendors should display a notice containing the warning: “Sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to a person under the age of 18 years is strictly prohibited and is a punishable offence.”
Taking a tough stand against such sellers, he asserted that such sellers have flouted Section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products, Act, 2003 (COTPA) which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to persons below the age of 18.
As for the penalties involved, he said that any person who contravenes the provisions of Section 6 shall be guilty of offences under this Act and shall be punishable with the imposition of fines and other prescribed penalties.