Drive Against Tobacco in Delhi: People Fined by Police for Smoking in Public
A team of South East District police raided such as Nehru place and Lajpat Nagar market and fined Rs 200 on those caught smoking in public areas.
During a four-day drive against Tobacco, Delhi police on January 10 caught 2723 people who were fined for smoking in public places. A team of South East district police raided localities of Nehru Place and Lajpat Nagar market and fined Rs 200 on those caught smoking in public areas under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, (COTPA) Section (4) 2003. The aim behind this drive is to deter people from lighting up in public places and eventually quit the injurious habit.
According to the data collected, while 11.30 percent are smokers and 88.7 percent non-smokers, who suffer from adverse effects due to passive smoking. The DCP South Delhi tweeted exemplary work in enforcement to make changes in public behaviour.
As per the COTPA Section (4) 2003, smoking in public places is banned. It also bans all forms of advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The sale to or by minors and within 100 yards of educational institutes is also prohibited.
So, what happens if you are caught violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act Section (4)?
1. Any violation of any Provision in this section is a punishable offence with fine extending up to Rs. 200.
2. An offence under this section shall be compoundable and shall be tried summarily in accordance with the procedure provided for summary trials in Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
3. If the owner, proprietor, manager or supervisor, or in-charge of affairs of the public place fails to act on the report of such violation, he shall be fined equivalent to the number of individual offences.
So, think twice, before you light a cigarette in public place next time. According to medical professionals, passive smoking too has raised as a major source of medical disorders in Delhi, a city of nearly 22 million. According to study based on smoking habits in 195 countries between 1990 and 2015, illustrates that smoking remains a leading risk factor for death and disability despite many countries applying tobacco policies resulting in reductions in smoking prevalence.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2018 07:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).