Cigarette and alcohol shops continue to run within 100 yards of educational institutions.
By Bibek Baidya
Alcohol and Cigarette sale continue within 100 yards of educational institutions in Bangalore even after the 2003 High Court ban order.
According to the Section 6 of Cigarette and other tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA), sale of tobacco products within 100 yard radius of educational institutions is illegal.
Deputy Law officer, Mr. Muniraja said, “We will take necessary measures against the shops after we locate them.”
T. Venkatesh, Deputy Superintendent of police said, “If BBMP officials conduct a survey and give us the shops’ data then we can take action and cancel their licenses and issue fines to the shop owners.”
Orchid school teacher Saira Nazreen said, “We have been concerned for a few years now about these shops and the BBMP is not taking any action. Guardians are also complaining about the tobacco and alcohol sale.” Apart from the Orchid school, St Joseph Community college and Seventh-day Adventist school and among the other institutions where tobacco and alcohol shops can be seen.
Clause 77 and 78 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 imposes strict penalties for the shops selling cigarate, beedi and chewing tobacco to minors and a jail term of seven years.. C.G. Sundhar, City Civil Court advocate said, “The sale of narcotic products will affect the society and the youngsters will also get addicted. Government should take possible steps to close down the shops as soon as possible.”
