Kohima, April 21 (MExN): Implementing the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA 2003) (prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution), the Kohima District Tobacco Control Cell (DTCC) has enforced prohibition of smoking in public places and also advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The Deputy Commissioner & Chairman DTCC, Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie, NCS has also, under the same Act, prohibited sale of cigarette or other tobacco products to a person below the age of 18 years, sale of tobacco products in an area within a radius of 100 yards of an educational institution, restriction on trade and commerce in and production, supply and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
“The following section of COPTA 2003 will be implemented in Kohima district with immediate effect,” the DC Kohima stated in an order.
The DC has also directed all the concerned authorities to effectively implement it by putting up signage boards prohibiting smoking in public places during any public events and social gatherings and requested the concerned authorities to abide and follow the instructions with immediate effect and action taken report in this regard should be submitted to the DC’s office.
Defaulting shops to lose trade license
Further, in another notification, the DC Kohima ordered that the trade license of the shops selling tobacco products near educational institutions will be seized after the third repeated offence under the jurisdiction of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).
“All the shopkeepers are directed to strictly implement this order and defaulters will be penalized,” it cautioned.
