SHILLONG/NONGSTOIN, Sep 21: The East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner has prohibited sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to any person below 18 years of age and in areas within a 100-yard radius of educational institutes.
According to a statement, vendors and shopkeepers selling tobacco products have also been directed to display a warning sign pertaining to the prohibitory order.
“The order is necessitated in view of the complaints received that vendors and shopkeepers are selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors at marketplace and within the close proximity of educational institutions openly, thus violating Section 6 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, which prohibits sale of tobacco products to minors, i.e., below the age of 18 years,” statement said.
Plan to prevent sale of intoxicants,drugs to minors in West Khasi Hills
The West Khasi Hills District Joint Action Plan, comprising members from Social Welfare, Excise, Police, Education, Health departments and District Child Protection Unit and DIPR met at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday to chalk out a plan to prevent sale of drugs, tobacco and other intoxicants to minors. Under the chairmanship of West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa, sale of illegal drugs and other psychotropic substances including cigarettes, tobacco, and liquor will not to be allowed 100 metres away from school premises.
According to the plan of the district team, no shops will sell cigarettes or tobacco to children below 18 years of age and pharmacies and drug stores will have to maintain proper records.
Seven years of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh will be levied on anyone violating the order.
