India: Police to Crackdown on Tobacco Products in Kerala

Source from:  The Times of India 07/18/2016

State police chief Loknath Behera instructed to strictly enforce the provisions of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) in the state. The instructions were given after it was found that there are several tobacco products that are available in the market that have no statutory pictorial warning that should occupy 85% of the display cover.

The state police chief has asked the zonal ADGPs, range IGs and all district police chiefs to take action after two days. After finding that there are no products available that does not satisfy the stipulated conditions, the traders have been given two days to comply with the regulations.

The police chief has also asked the officials to join hands with other relevant departments in taking action against such products and those who sell them. In addition, the police chief also asked all officials to strictly enforce action against smoking in public places and also recommended the government to include COPTA in the training syllabus for sub-inspectors in the police academy. Enditem