Tobacco control law violators won’t be spared: Ludhiana Civil Surgeon

Under the leadership of Civil Surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur, the Health Department is conducting awareness campaigns across the Ludhiana district to educate the public and students in schools and colleges about the harmful effects of tobacco.

Dr Kaur informed that activities were being continuously carried out under the Tobacco Control Act Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. These initiatives aim to spread awareness about the adverse health impacts of tobacco consumption and the diseases caused by its prolonged use. She added that, as part of this campaign, shopkeepers and street vendors violating the Act were being fined.

District Nodal Officer Dr Ashish Chawla further explained that selling tobacco products to individuals below 18 years of age was illegal. He emphasised that no person was allowed to sell or consume tobacco within a 100-yard radius of schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.

Today, at the Jalandhar Bypass Road area of Ludhiana, the Health Department team comprising District Mass Media and Information Officer Parminder Singh and District BCC Coordinator Barjinder Singh Brar issued fines to 10 vendors for violating the regulations. On this occasion, the residents present were also made aware of the diseases caused by tobacco consumption, such as cancers of mouth, throat, jaw, and lungs.