Kochi: One positive fallout of the crackdown on tobacco products, especially chewing tobacco, could be the increase in the price for those shiny, little packets, so to speak. For law enforcers have made it hard for people to answer that craving for a chew, or a puff. The shadow wing of the City Police had been flooded with calls about sales of tobacco products near educational institutions, mostly schools. After a couple of weeks' intensive drive and many cases registered against shop owners, the calls have started to dwindle.
“We do get calls now, but the number has come down markedly. During the drive, we had put all shops within 100 yards of schools under surveillance to check any sale of tobacco products,” said Mohammed Nizar, sub-inspector, Special Branch.
Deadline ends
Starting from Saturday, the shadow wing will start paying visits to godowns in market areas. The problem faced by the police here is that they were directed to register cases against violators under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on sales) Regulation Act, 2011. Officials point out, however, that it is for the Health Department and not the police to take action as per this Act. “So we register cases under section 118 (e) of the Kerala Police Act, for selling substances injurious to public health,” was the response on how to tackle the situation.
Food Safety Officer
On their part, the Food Safety Officer in the district with 13 food inspectors will raid retail outlets for any banned tobacco product.
The distributors, wholesalers and retailers of pan masala and related chewing tobacco products are aware of the raids starting from Saturday, said K. Ajith Kumar, the district Food Safety Officer. Officials who have to enforce the ban are in for a challenge, he added. The roadside sales of pan masala have stopped, he said. District Collector P. I. Sheikh Pareeth said that committees will be formed at the school level to implement the 400-m tobacco-free zone. Pan masala is only one type of tobacco product. There are other products like cigarettes that are not banned. School committees comprising students, PTA members and the heads of institutions will submit reports of their inspection of shops around the school to the Health department. There are some problem areas in the district, like Muvattupuzha and Perumbavur, said Mr. Pareed.
District Health Officer P. N. Sreenivasan said that one of the Health and police squads would assist the school committees and carry out independent inspections in the coming weeks.
Source:http://www.thehindu.com
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