Punjab has ordered closure of all tobacco shops which do not have a licence for sale of tobacco products. “The Punjab government has issued directions to all municipal corporation commissioners to ensure closure of all tobacco vends/shops in the state running without any licence under Punjab Tobacco Vends Fees Act-1953,” a spokesman of the local government said here on Sunday.
Director (Local Government) Priyank Bharti has directed municipal officials to check all the shops selling tobacco in their respective areas and order immediate closure if they are being run without the required permit.
Principal health secretary Vini Mahajan said that sale of chewable tobacco and loose cigarettes has already been banned in Punjab and a commercial establishment’s licence could be revoked if it violates the Tobacco Control Act.
It was further stated that there are many poisonous chemicals in tobacco due to which about 2,200 people are killed daily in India, due to which it is very important to curb this menace.
There are media reports suggesting that Punjab Food Safety Commissioner, Hussan Lal, has also issued a circular to all DCs and CSs that Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 is being implemented in all districts of Punjab. It has been directed that license under FSSAI is issued to any eatery/ shop/ commercial establishment only to sell safe food products only and not to sell harmful tobacco products. He is reported to have said that designated Food Safety Officers are empowered to cancel license of any eatery/shop/commercial establishment, licensed under FSSAI, if tobacco products are sold in the premises.
