Chhattisgarh government to penalise public smokers

Chhattisgarh government has decided to take stringent legal action against those found smoking at public places in the state.

State Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Singh has directed officials to initiate strict action against persons found smoking at public places, an official statement said on Thrusday.

The decision has been taken for the effective implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. Singh issued the directions during a meeting of the state level coordination committee held on Wednesday.

The ACS also asked the officials to take action against those who install hoardings and billboards depicting tobacco products at public places. Penalty of Rs 200 will be imposed on those who are found smoking at public places, whereas penalty of Rs 1,000 or a jail term of two years will be imposed on those, who violate the prohibition on advertising cigarette or other tobacco products for the first time and penalty of Rs 5,000 and imprisonment of five years will be imposed on those who repeat the offence, he said.

Singh also asked the officials to put signboards at public places and government offices prohibiting smoking and warning of punishment under the rules.