Surprise check in shops near educational institutions; 31 kg of tobacco products seized

The police seized tobacco products weighing 31 kg during the surprise check in the shops situated near the educational institutions on Monday and registered 30 cases in this connection.

According to Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tirunelveli Range, P. Saravanan, shops situated within 100 yards from the educational institutions should not sell tobacco products as per the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). When the police special teams conducted surprise check in 476 shops located within this distance from the educational institutions in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi and Kanniyakumari districts on Monday, the police seized 31 kg of tobacco products.

“After registering 30 cases in this connection, steps have been taken to seal these shops for violating COTPA,” Mr. Saravanan said.

While the first-time violators of COTPA will have to undergo 1 year imprisonment and pay the fine of ₹50,000, other offenders could be awarded two years imprisonment besides paying the fine of ₹1 lakh.

Anyone having information about the sale of tobacco products in the shops close to the educational institutions and banned tobacco products and ganja in any place may inform the police without revealing their identity through Drug Free Tamil Nadu app, Mr. Saravanan said.