Check tobacco sale near educational institutions, court directs TN govt

Coming down heavily on the sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, particularly schools, the Madras high court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to immediately form special squads to conduct surprise raids on shops located near them.

Justice N Kirubakaran, who passed the order on a petition by one TC Sharath, directed the state Health and Welfare Department, DGP and Commissioner of Police, Chennai, to form the squads immediately, which would conduct surprise raids at shops located within 100 yards of the institutions and seize tobacco products.

The petitioner had sought a direction against shopkeepers, who sell tobacco products to students and action against smokers in public places.

The judge directed the authorities to confiscate the products seized as per Section 14 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution Act, 2003 (COPTA ACT).

He also directed them to remove and confiscate advertisements of tobacco products placed near schools, book those persons who smoke in Public Places as per section 21 of the Act and to file a report in court by June 20.

The judge said it was shocking to know that there is extensive use of tobacco products among schoolchildren.