Face2News/Chandigarh 

As per the directions issued by the Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration (U.T.) and under the able guidance of the Secretary Health, Chandigarh Administration, a joint team led by officers of the Department of Health & Family Welfare and comprising officials from the Health Department, Police Department, Excise & Taxation Department, Legal Metrology Department, and the Food Safety & Drug Control Wing conducted a coordinated raid to enforce tobacco control in Chandigarh.

During the inspection, Sh. Nanhku, S/o Lalta Prashad, resident of Village Kajheri and operating Nanhku Pan & Confectionery at Booth No. 400, Sector 44D, Chandigarh, was found stocking and selling loose cigarettes without displaying the mandatory Section 6A signage under COTPA 2003. He was also found in possession of e-cigarettes, in violation of PECA, 2019.

Consequently, fines were imposed upon him by the Health Department, Excise Department, and Legal Metrology Department, and a substantial quantity of imported and loose cigarettes was seized or destroyed by the concerned authorities. The Health Department destroyed loose cigarettes and seized e-cigarettes, which were later handed over to SHO Sector 34. Illegal imported cigarettes, lacking the mandatory pictorial warning, were seized by the Excise Department, while the Legal Metrology Department issued a challan for non-compliance with labeling requirements under the LM Act, 2009. Additionally, the Food Safety Wing lifted a sample of Kamla Pasand Pan Masala for analysis.

The Director, Health & Family Welfare, Chandigarh (U.T.), Dr. Suman Singh, assured that such enforcement drives will continue under the Permanent Task Force constituted by the Chandigarh Administration to enhance public awareness about the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the provisions of COTPA 2003, the harmful effects of tobacco consumption, and to curb the sale of illegal imported cigarettes.