MOHALI: The Punjab government has warned all commercial establishments in the district - including hotels and restaurants - that their licences would be cancelled if they are found violating rules on tobacco control, drugs, and food safety. Owners of sites where tobacco is sold could be penalized, and they could be behind bars. "Strict implementation of this act will be ensured," said deputy commissioner Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, while enforcing the Tobacco Control Act in the district. Selling of loose cigarettes and other tobacco products are banned in the district, and persons found selling the same would face jail for five years, or they would have to pay Rs10,000 as penalty.
The DC has directed health department officials to strictly implement the act in the district, and for this purpose, Mohali has been divided into two zones, to be headed by SDM's special task force teams. The teams will not only issue challans, but also make residents aware of the bad effects of tobacco products on the human body as well as the environment.
Gurpreet Singh, nodal officer, Tobacco Control Cell, said 4,046 challans were issued to various vendors for selling tobacco products and loose cigarettes, from which a revenue of Rs3.98 lakh was generated last year. In the first three months of this year (Jan-Mar), Rs21,000 was collected through 177 challans under Tobacco Control, Food Safety and Standards Act of India, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. These penalties were issued during a special campaign initiated in the district under the Tobacco Control Act, wherein surprise checks were conducted on hotels, restaurants, and school canteens.
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