8,214 Delhiites fined in four days for public smoking
What's the story
Trying to curb cigarette smoking in public, Delhi Police has fined 8,214 offenders in just four days. A special anti-smoking drive was carried out on December 30, January 3, 6 and 10 in the Capital's south and southeast areas including Hauz Khas, Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar and Saket. Police personnel from 28 stations were deployed for the task, reported Hindustan Times. Here's more.
Details
Vendors selling tobacco products near schools also challaned
Of all the challans issued, 95% were against smokers. The rest were against vendors selling tobacco products near educational institutes. According to the police, only offenders caught red-handed were challaned. By Wednesday 8pm, the police of south and southeast districts had fined 2,755 and 5459 violators respectively. The police said it sensitized smokers about adverse health effects of tobacco while penalizing them.
The law
Public smoking, selling tobacco products to minors are punishable offenses
Interestingly, women made up for 30% of violators. Maximum smokers were fined between 6-9pm, say police, who intend to organize more such drives. In India, selling tobacco outside hospitals and within 100 metres of educational institutions is prohibited. Public smoking and selling tobacco products to minors is a punishable offense under Sections 4 and 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).