In Punjab, postmasters, head constables to issue fines

CHANDIGARH: Smokers beware! Punjab has authorized head constables and senior police officers, postmasters, station masters and airport managers to fine people who smoke in public.

The Punjab government on Tuesday issued a list of officers authorized to issue challans under Sections 4 and 6 of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Supply and Distribution Act 2003 (COTPA) within the state. The fine for both smoking in a public place and sale of tobacco products to people under 18 years is up to Rs 200.

The new list also includes gazetted officers of state and central government; inspectors of central excise, income-tax, customs and sale tax; assistant station masters; station heads; station in-charge; and officers of Airport Authority of India and officers of all scheduled airlines. These officers were not authorized to issue fines as per the August 8, 2015 notification.

Till now, only heads of the departments; executive magistrates; assistant labour commissioners, commissioners; executives officers of municipal corporations; principals of educational institutions; headmasters; and seniors officers of health department were authorised to issue fines in the anti-smoking drive.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the state-level tobacco control coordination committee chaired by additional chief secretary (health) Satish Chandra, who said the sale of cigarette packs which do not have a pictorial warning covering 85% of surface, was a crime.

He said the excise department would take strict action against the offenders who were involved in the business of illegal sale of imported cigarette packets and flavored/scented tobacco products.

Punjab has already banned the sale and distribution of flavored/scented chewable tobacco and sale of e-cigarettes in the state. He instructed the officers to book the shopkeepers and also keep them under the scanner of health authorities.