143 booked for smoking in public in Jammu

Around 143 persons were challaned today for smoking at various public places during an anti-smoking drive in different parts of the district here.

According to the Controller, Drugs and Food Control Organisation (Jammu), nine establishments selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors were also booked during the drive.
    
The teams also challaned five establishments, which were found within a radius of 100 yards of educational institutes, for selling cigarettes and other tobacco products.
    
A fine of Rs 6,245 was realised during the last month from the vendors for violation of various provisions of Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production Supply and Distribution Act, 2003.
    
Meanwhile, district development commissioner of Rajouri SJP Singh convened a meeting of district officers from various departments regarding public awareness on prohibition of smoking in public places.
    
Singh, while addressing the head of various educational institutions, emphasised on educating the children at schools about the perils of smoking.

The officer warned that anybody found within a radius of 100 yards of educational institutions selling cigarettes and other tobacco products would be fined and booked under the law.