FDA launches anti-tobacco drive near schools, colleges

37 shop owners near educational institutions fined since Jan 10

Schools and colleges are required to display boards with warnings that prohibit consumption of tobacco products, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Since January 10, the FDA has launched an anti-tobacco campaign and fined 37 shop and stall owners near various schools and colleges in the city.

The FDA seized tobacco stock worth Rs 58,199 from shops located within 100 metres of each of the 27 educational institutions in the city.

“We collected Rs 6,000 as fines from shopkeepers who sold tobacco products so close to schools and colleges. We also urged the educational institutions to help us in the anti-tobacco campaign,” said Food and Drug Joint Commissioner, Pune, Sanjay Patil.

One of the provisions of the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Act, 2003, states there should not be any shop selling tobacco products within 100 metres of an educational institution.