Minor sells tobacco products inside DH Kishtwar’s premises

In violation of the set norms that ban the sale of tobacco and its products around and inside hospitals and educational institutions, a minor boy can be seen selling cigarettes among other things from a temporary shop inside the premises of district hospital Kishtwar.

While speaking to Greater Kashmir, the minor, around 12-13years of age, said, “My father has taken permission from the hospitalauthorities to open a temporary shop in the hospital’s premises.”

   

He added that he sells tobacco and its products, eggs andbiscuits whenever his father is not around. “We are two siblings and we taketurns in handling the shop,” he claimed.

On being contacted by Greater Kashmir, the medicalsuperintendent of the district hospital, S D Atri, said, “I do not have anyknowledge about the boy selling tobacco products inside the hospital premises.I will conduct an inquiry soon.”

The locals refute the claims of the hospital administrationand accuse the authorities of callous approach. “Not only do these shops selltobacco and cigarettes, but very often we find people smoking inside thehospital building. Not only is it illegal, it is harmful as well. While allthis happens, the hospital administration turns a blind eye,” Asif Butt, alocal, said.

Pertinently, India became a party to the WHO frameworkconvention on tobacco control on February 27, 2005. The central government hasalso legislated laws on the use of cigarettes in the country.

As per the cigarettes and other tobacco products(prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production,supply and distribution) Act, 2003, also known as COTPA, 2003, which came intoeffect in 2003, “Advertisement, regulate trade and commerce, production, supplyand distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products in public places isstrictly prohibited.”

In the legislation, public places refers to any place wherepublic has access, including auditoriums, hospital buildings, railway waitingroom, amusement centers, restaurants, public offices, court buildings,educational institutions, libraries and public conveyances.

Pertinently, the Act is also applicable in Jammu and Kashmirstate.

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