KHLIEHRIAT, Jan 4: The Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills has prohibited smoking in public places while also barring sale, offer for sale or permitting sale of cigarette or any other tobacco products to a person under the age of eighteen and in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare, in an order, said, “As per Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, no person shall smoke in any public places (any places to which the public has access, whether as matter of right or not) including auditorium, hospital buildings, railway waiting room, amusement centres, restaurants, public offices, Court buildings, educational institutions, libraries, public conveyances and the likes of which are visited by the general public but does not include any open space”.
The Deputy Commissioner further ordered displaying of ‘No Smoking’ signage as specified under the Act in the respective offices or premises.
Any violation is a punishable offence with fine up to Rs 200, the DC added.
