Taking a serious note of seizure of chocolates that contained ganja extract, the Madras High Court today ordered the government to submit a report on action taken for seizure of tobacco products and arrests made in this regard.
Justice N Kirubakaran directed the government to furnish the details of action taken by August 17 while hearing a plea seeking action against smokers in public places and shop keepers who sell tobacco products to students.
Coming down heavily on sale of tobacco products near educational institutions, particularly schools, the judge had on June 13 directed the state government to immediately form special squads to conduct surprise raids on shops in their vicinity.
Hearing the petition by T C Sharath, the judge had directed the state Health and Welfare Department, Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Chennai, to form squads immediately to conduct surprise raids at shops located within 100 yards of the institutions and seize tobacco products.
The judge had ordered the authorities to confiscate the products seized as per Section 14 of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution Act, 2003.
He also directed them to remove and confiscate advertisements of tobacco products placed near schools, book those who smoke in public places as per section 21 of the Act and file a report by June 20.
The judge today asked the government to file an action taken report on the sale of chocolates containing extract of ganja and other intoxicants near educational institutions.
