In a survey conducted by an NGO in city schools found that 82% of schools have tobacco and tobacco product selling shops in the radius of 100 yards.
In a survey conducted by an NGO in city schools found that 82% of schools have tobacco and tobacco product selling shops in the radius of 100 yards. The sale of tobacco products in the radius of 100 yards is prohibited and punishable.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has planned a drive to stop this menace.
Minister of state of FDA Satej Patil held a review meeting on Wednesday to take stock of the implementation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Regulation Act (COTPA) under which action is taken against the shopkeepers selling tobacco products in the vicinity of the schools. The vendors are punished with fine and the stock of the tobacco products is also seized.
The minister was apprised with the findings of the survey that has stated that of the 91 schools surveyed in the city, 75 had 219 tobacco shops in the restricted area. The shops were operational in the vicinity between 1 to 13 years.
It also has stated that 24% of the shops did not have the licence issued by the BMC. The survey revealed that 83% of shops did not display the warning which was mandatory to them under the act.
Patil has announced a drive between November 14 and January 25 across the state to ensure strict action against the shops.
He has roped in other departments including school education, public health, National Rural Health Mission for the effective implementation of the drive. Patil said that according to Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2010, girls and boys in the age group of 13 to 15 years, 19 and 8.3% become addicts. It also has revealed that 36.6% kids suffer from passive smoking.
The department will start helpline for the complaints related to the sell of tobacco products near schools.
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