‘To prevent tobacco sale to minors, implement Juvenile Justice Act’

Rajasthan Police has issued a directive on effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act’s Section 77 that bars tobacco sale to minors.

In a letter to senior police officers, additional director general of police (civil rights) ML Lathar asked them to aware people, especially children, about ill-effect of tobacco during ‘No Tobacco Week’ from May 25 to 31.

The Section 77 says whoever gives, or causes to be given, to any child any intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance, except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner, shall be punishable.

“Despite earlier directions, the order is yet to be implemented,” Lathar wrote.

Dr Pawan Singhal, Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV) campaign in-charge of Rajasthan and cancer surgeon with Sawai Man Singh hospital, said: “It is certainly a good move by the police department that will save the future of the country that is children and youth. “

“If JJ Act is implemented effectively then we can save thousands of young deaths in Rajasthan.”

Meanwhile, social justice and empowerment department director Dr Samit Sharma has issued an order to display boards with statutory warning of no smoking at main places under section 4 of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003 (COTPA).

The section 4 of COPTA prohibits smoking in public places.

Sharma has also asked all district officers of the department to collect challan booklets from the office of Chief Medical and Health Officers and make challans against the violators and ensure submitting the reports every quarterly.