Despite ban, sale of tobacco products goes on

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 14

Even as the state government banned the sale of gutkha and tobacco products lately, kiosks and shops are openly selling these in the city.

Punjab has completely banned flavoured chewing tobacco, gutka and paan masala containing tobacco or nicotine. The state government issued a notification to this effect on October 9, imposing the ban for one year.

Even six years after the government accorded smoke-free status to the city, the norms under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act are being violated openly.

Bathinda district was made smoke-free in 2013 in terms of the Compliance of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution Act), but it seems that this status is only on paper as the reality is otherwise on the ground level. People are openly smoking at public places without any fear of being issued challans.

It is a common sight to see people smoking at public places such as bus stand, railway station and marketplaces.

Even many restaurants and hotels are running in the city, which do not have any specific smoking zone.

City residents alleged that if they complained against cigarette and bidi sellers at khokhas (temporary vends), then officials concerned make these khokha owners aware of the complainants who (bidi sellers) then enter into brawls with the former.

Deputy Commissioner Praneet said, “We have not received the copy of the notification. We may receive it tomorrow and after that the ban order would be implemented strictly.”

The motive behind declaring the district smoke-free was to save non-smokers or passive smokers. Pregnant women and children are known to be affected the most. Smoking at public places has been banned in the country since October 2, 2008.

Government issues notification

• Punjab has completely banned flavoured chewing tobacco, gutka and paan masala containing tobacco or nicotine. The state government issued a notification to this effect on October 9, imposing the ban for one year. 
• Even six years after the government accorded smoke-free status to the city, the norms under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act are being violated openly. 

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