Smoking causes serious health issues for the smoker but it also risks some ill-effect on the people who nearby especially in public places. To Keep Public health in mind Hyderabad police initiative a serious step to stop these harmful acts, Hyderabad Police have started making a action against people who are seen smoking out in the open places or selling cigarettes or any tobacco related Products near educational institutions and Hospitals. The drive, which was hung on yesterday, has so far brought about 22 Callahan being issued under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
Challans were issued to the 22 people who smoking publicly and chewing tobacco and they even issued on Vendors. The Punjagutta police alongside Telangana Tobacco specialized officer S. Nagaraju, Mass Media officer J. Ramulu, Doctor Anusha conducted the raid on panshops, bars for offering tobacco and issued fine on them. The officers also issued a challan for the public smoking in people in public territory.
After Issued the Callahan police stated that The officers warned to vendors not to sell cigarettes and any other tobacco-related products near school and hospital premises. They even said that bars are permitted to sell only alcohol not cigarettes, will take serious action if any bar sells cigarettes. Out of these 22 people, there are 2 Minors in the list police included.
The police also filed the case against few pan shops for selling nicotine and pan masala which were prohibited in the state. The officers are planning to take an effective mechanism to take serious actions for repeat offenders. Police officers felt that few people selling alcohol and cigarettes illegally at night times near panjagutta, Sr Nagar, Yousufguda and Secundrabad. The tobacco control cell will take assistance from the police division to catch the smokers. The government also planning to increase the Callahan targets.
