Police’s anti-nicotine action bears little fruit

Despite the Ludhiana police recently launching a crackdown on the sale of tobacco-laced products outside educational institutions, enforcement appears to have lost its teeth.

A week after the police shared details of their action with the media, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, gutka and other tobacco-laced items continue to be sold openly near several institutes.

During a visit to small vendors near Khalsa College for Women, this correspondent was offered e-cigarettes without hesitation. While a vendor claimed that vapes were unavailable, he readily handed over a pack of e-cigarettes for Rs 60.

A similar situation was observed near Durga Mata Temple in Sarabha Nagar, where two leading schools are located. At least two shops in the vicinity were found openly selling vapes, e-cigarettes and other prohibited products. The correspondent was even asked to choose a “flavour” for the vape.

The easy and unchecked availability of these products outside educational institutions raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the police’s so-called strict measures. As if the situation was not alarming enough, a grandfather of a student studying at a premier institute near Baddowal alleged that drugs were also easily accessible to students. He claimed that peddlers frequently roamed near campuses to supply narcotics.

“My grandson was recently found with white powder. When questioned, he revealed that someone had supplied it to him through a reference. I will be approaching the police as such easy access to drugs are ruining the youth,” he rued.

The allegations highlight the urgent need for stronger, sustained and closely-monitored action to curb the menace around educational institutions.

Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said that the cops were keeping a check on the sale of prohibited products near educational institutions.

“We will intensify the drive if the sales of tobacco laced products are taking place near educational institutions. The violators or the peddlers will be dealt with severely as no such activity will be allowed “, Sharma said.