Sale of tobacco products near schools continues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 30 2022:
Though sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutes is prohibited under Section 6(b) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, (COTPA) 2003; retail shops located near educational institutes in the state are selling such products freely with the authority concerned remaining seemingly indifferent.
Expressing concern over the unchecked sale of tobacco products, which might have adverse impact on the school going children, Change for Better Manipur (CFBM) has drawn attention of the state government to look into the matter and take up necessary measures.
Section 6(b) of COTPA 2003 prohibits sale of tobacco products to minors and within 100 yards of educational institutions.
As a result, educational institutes are declared tobacco free zone and posters are put up in such areas to create awareness among the public.
However, in the absence of enforcing any of these prohibitory measures, the Act and its provisions have become meaningless, not to speak of being useless.
The Act defines the distance of 100 yards as the distance from the outermost compound wall of the educational institute.
Shops are also required to put up label indicating that 'sale of tobacco products to minor children is illegal'.
According to CFBM, not only shops in the nearby areas of educational institutes are selling tobacco products but most of them also sell these products to minor children.
Taking serious note of the matter, CFBM urged the government authority to strictly enforce the Act and called upon CSOs and student bodies to take proactive steps so as to ensure enforcement of the Act and its provisions earnestly to save the future generation from the harmful impact of tobacco and other intoxicants.