Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Though the campaign, Nashe Se Doori Hai Zaroori has ended, Bhopal police commissioner Harinarayanachari Mishra has directed all police stations to prevent sale of cigarettes, gutkha, tobacco products, and other intoxicants near schools and colleges.
The direction comes amid growing concerns over the easy availability of tobacco around educational institutions, despite clear provisions under COTPA Act 2003, which prohibits sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational premises.
Acting on police commissioner’s directives, police teams have begun identifying hotspots and conducting surprise inspections at local shops and kiosks operating near schools and colleges. Vendors caught selling restricted items face fines, seizure of products, and in some cases, legal action.
“Shops selling gutkha or cigarettes to minors or near schools will not be spared,” said an official involved in enforcement. “We are also coordinating with school administration to keep a close watch.”
It is worth mentioning that alarming rise in tobacco use among schoolchildren has been observed. School and college students including girls are often spotted smoking cigarettes at city parks, near dams or at lonely spots.
Police officials said that cops will ensure that no shopkeeper sells cigarettes, tobacco products and other addictions near school and college campuses in the city. Apart from enforcement, the officials have launched awareness campaigns and inter-departmental coordination involving education and health department.
