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The Punjab government has imposed a complete ban on tobacco and tobacco products around educational and religious institutions.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani has directed the deputy commissioners of all districts to ensure implementation of the government directive in this regard under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, in Punjab.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Jyani said a notification in this regard has also been issued. The officers concerned have been asked to keep a close vigil near educational institutions, colleges, coaching institutes and schools and ensure complete ban on sale of single stick cigarettes and all kinds of tobacco products within 100 yards of these institutions. Anybody violating the directive would be dealt with strictly, he said.
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The minister also said the district-level monitoring committees had also been constituted by the health department which would inspect the areas under their jurisdiction and check whether any such small khokha or shop was functional near educational and religious institutions.
They have been asked to immediately report to the senior authorities, so that the shops could be closed immediately and strict action can be taken against the owners who are not complying with the government directive.
