Sale of cigarettes to under age prohibited

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 4, 2019

SHILLONG: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, has issued order prohibiting sale of cigarettes and other products to any person who is under 18 years of age at the market place and in an area within a radius of one hundred yards of any educational institution within the District. Vendors, stalls and other shopkeepers where tobacco products are sold shall display a notice containing the warning “Sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to a person under the age of eighteen years is strictly prohibited and is a punishable offence”.

Any person who contravenes the provisions of Section 6 shall be guilty of offences under this Act and shall be punishable with the imposition of fines and other prescribed penalties.

This Order is necessitated following reports that vendors, stall and other shopkeepers are selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors at market places and within the proximity of educational institutions openly and in complete violation of Section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) which prohibits sale of tobacco products to minors, ie., below the age of 18 years.