Despite the implementation of Tobacco Control Act (COTPA) in the judiciary, administrative negligence in its effective implementation is clearly visible. Sale of tobacco products continues indiscriminately in railway zones and areas around schools, which is promoting drug addiction among children.
No concrete action is being taken against the sale of tobacco products near various schools in the city. Items like cigarettes and gutkha are being sold openly near many schools. The situation is so bad that tobacco product shops are operating near the main gate of Railway School No. 2. Not only cigarettes and gutkha but also intoxicating products like Gudakhu are easily available at these shops. It is the responsibility of RPF, GRP and Torva Police under the Railway area to stop the sale of illegal tobacco products around schools. Despite this, these departments remain mute spectators. Police personnel themselves are often found standing at shops selling tobacco products, due to which the shopkeepers have no fear of the law. The Food and Drug Administration Department is also not taking any action on this, due to which the spirits of tobacco traders are high. Apart from the railway sector, the situation is similar in many other schools also. Here the children are getting addicted to drugs and have also been seen smoking cigarettes.
00 Section 6:1 Prohibits the sale of tobacco to children under 8 years of age.
00 Section 6(B): It is an offense to sell tobacco within 100 meters of an educational institution.
00 Section 7: Selling tobacco products without pictures and warnings is prohibited.
00 Section 5: One to five years imprisonment and fine from one to five thousand rupees
00 Section 7: Punishment for selling products without pictorial warnings
Drug addiction is increasing among youth
Due to this carelessness, drug addiction among the youth is increasing day by day. Shopkeepers are selling tobacco products without any fear and children are getting addicted to these products. This problem is becoming more serious due to administrative neglect. If immediate attention is not given to this, the situation will be serious. Shops selling tobacco products are mushrooming in the railway zone. This material is sold outside the zonal railway station even at night.
Collector’s displeasure, still zero action
Bilaspur Collector Avnish Sharan has also expressed strong displeasure over the sale of tobacco products outside schools and colleges. He had directed the administration to take strict action. Still, no concrete steps have been taken by the police and drug administration department. The growing drug trade in an area considered safe like the railway area has become a threat to youth and minors.
immediate stop needed
Administrative apathy in effectively implementing the COTPA law in the city poses a threat to the future of children. There should be an immediate ban on the sale of tobacco products around the railway zone, so that the youth can be pulled out of this trap of drug addiction. Strict monitoring and timely action is essential to rectify the inaction of the administration and police department.
These are the ones responsible:
Police, Health and Municipal Corporation
According to the law made under the COTPA Act, shops selling tobacco products cannot be operated in front of schools and colleges. Strict laws have been made for this. There are also instructions for action. In which the joint team of Police, Health Department and Municipal Corporation has to take action and stop them immediately with fine. But at present TI Rahut Tiwari of Torwa Police, CHMO of Health Department Dr. Pramod Tiwari and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Amit Kumar are not paying attention to this.
Will take action against those responsible
RPF, GRP and Food and Drug Administration Department have been directed to take immediate action. Strict action will also be taken against officers who indulge in any kind of negligence. Kotpa law will be strictly followed in the city. Playing with the future of children will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Avnish Sharan
Collector, Bilaspur
