NEW DELHI: The district administration in Mirzapur has issued an order banning smoking and use of tobacco in the Vindhyachal Navratri fair area.
The order that was issued by the District Magistrate (DM) Divya Mittal under provisions of the union government’s tobacco control law, stated that those found violating the order will be penalised according to the law.
“The fair area has been declared smoking and tobacco-free keeping in view the health considerations of the masses,” DM told PTI.
The fair is organised in an area of about 15 km in and around the famous Vindhyachal temple, one of the most revered Shakti Peethas of Goddess Sati.
The Central government had in 2004 enacted a comprehensive tobacco control law, the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 (prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply, and distribution) to reduce tobacco use.
As per Section 6 (a) of COTPA, 2003 read with Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Rules, 2011, there is prohibition on sale of tobacco products to and by persons below the age of 18 years and as per Section 6 (b) of COTPA, 2003, there is prohibition on sale of tobacco products in an area within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution.
It is evident from the Quarterly Reports received under COTPA, 2003 from States/Union Territories that there is violation of this Section and accordingly action is being taken through imposing fine on violators.Section (4) of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA 2003) prohibits smoking in public places provided that in a hotel having thirty rooms or a restaurant having seating capacity of thirty persons or more and in the airports, a separate provision for smoking area or space may be made.
The enforcement of provisions of COTPA, 2003 and Rules made thereunder primarily lies with the States/Union Territories. For effective implementation of this Section, Central Government has notified authorized officers from various Departments and also advised States/Union Territories, from time to time, for strict compliance of COTPA, 2003.The provisions under COTPA, 2003 and the Rules made thereunder mandates prohibition of smoking in public places; ban on sale of tobacco products to and by minors and within 100 yards of educational institutions; prohibition on direct and indirect advertising of tobacco products and mandatory display of specified health warnings.
The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched by this Ministry in 2007- 08 with the aim to (i) create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, (ii) reduce the production and supply of tobacco products, (iii) ensure effective implementation of the provisions under COTPA, 2003 (iv) help people quit tobacco use, and (v) facilitate implementation of strategies for prevention and control of tobacco advocated by WHO Framework Convention of Tobacco Control.The Government of India prohibited electronic cigarettes and like devices vide the Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019.