Nagaon Police launch drive against COPTA violation

A Correspondent

NAGAON: Nagaon Police on Saturday launched a drive against those violating the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) over the years in the district.

According to the Act, smoking in public places, direct or indirect advertising, sale to or by minors, sale within 100 yards of schools are strictly prohibited and also pictorial warnings on all tobacco packs are mandatory. Director General of Police, Assam, recently ordered the police force to strictly enforce COTPA as the police are the main enforcement agency for COTPA.

Following instructions of the DGP, Assam, the Superintendent of Police of Nagaon, Shankarbrata Raimedhi launched a massive drive on Saturday against the violations of COTPA in Nagaon. Prior to the drive, the police officers of different police stations under Nagaon district were imparted training on COPTA. The Nagaon SP informed the participants about the COTPA laws with technical support from Sambandh Health Foundation (SHF) and Tata Trusts.

During the drive, fine was imposed on the violators. Nagaon SP Shankarbrata Raimedhi said, “Tobacco is a curse for the society, so all should join hands in order to control this menace and to improve the quality of life in Assam.”