Crackdown on tobacco sales in Thiruvananthapuram

The Thiruvananthapuram City police conducted a major enforcement drive against the use and sale of banned tobacco products across the city on Monday. The drive focused on areas around educational institutions and public places.

The inspections were led by District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) K. Karthick and police sub-divisions conducted coordinated checks across their respective jurisdictions.

During the drive, the police inspected 231 shops and the vicinity of 105 educational institutions. Action was taken against 187 persons under the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), and fines were imposed on the offenders. In addition, 50 cases were registered under the COTPA Act, along with seven cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Mr. Karthick has said that similar inspections will continue in the coming days as part of sustained efforts to curb tobacco use and illegal sales, particularly in areas surrounding school and college premises.