Take action against sale of cigarettes without warning: HC

    
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Food and Drugs Administration to initiate action against sale of cigarette and other tobacco products which carry no statutory warning of health hazards.
    
The order came in response to a PIL filed by Vincent Nazareth, Chairman of Neil Charitable Trust, complaining that branded cigarettes - mostly foreign-manufactured - without the warning about health hazards, are being sold openly in the city.
    
Division bench of chief justice Swatanter Kumar and justice Sharad Bobde directed the FDA commissioners to file personal affidavits stating what action has been taken against such sales so far.
    
The court also said that central authorities (mainly customs) and the state should not indulge in "blame-shifting" in this matter.
    
Principal secretary, Medical Education and Drugs department will ensure that the court's directions are followed, the court said.
    
The hearing of the case has been adjourned for two weeks.