Punjab to book e-commerce companies selling e-cigarettes

Punjab government today directed district police chiefs to lodge FIRs against e-commerce companies selling electronic cigarettes despite a complete ban on sale of this product in the state.
State Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani said the government would register FIR against e-commerce companies for openly selling e-cigarettes in the state thereby influencing the youth, especially school children.
He sought the cooperation of people with police to help in registering FIRs against the companies on the basis of bills of the e-cigarette products sent by them.
He said that it has been observed there is no check on the sale of cigarettes through the internet.

"Most of our youth are susceptible to the use of computers and have a free access to the internet not only in the homes but even in schools and colleges also," he said.
"To make them aware of the ill-effects of e-cigarettes, the government has sought the help of NGOs along with authorities of the educational institutions advising them to stay away from tobacco and other such products," Jayani said.

He asked people to cooperate with police in registering the FIR against the e-commerce companies on the basis of the bills of the e-cigarette sent by these companies.
To implement Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) effectively in Punjab, drug inspectors in the state have been directed to initiate complaints against the illegal sale of e-cigarettes, the minister said.

The district police chiefs have been directed to ensure prompt action on the complaints so that strict legal action could be initiated against the erring companies, he added.