Srinagar, January 07(Scoop News) –Anti-Tobacco squad, headed by Shabir Ahmed Lone, Food Safety Officer, Srinagar caught 10 persons including Govt officials, smoking in public and recovered a fine of Rs. 1900 from them. The squad comprised of Owais Ahmed, Health Educator with CMO Srinagar, Police personnel and Volunteers from J&K Voluntary Health Association.
The squad inspected various areas, including National Institute of Technology (NIT), University of Kashmir, Chest Diseases Hospital. Two employees of University, one employee of NIT and CD Hospital were also amongst the offenders.
Justice. GS Singhvi and Justice GS Mishra stayed the interim order of Bombay High Court, against the implementation of Point of Sale Rules under COTPA in the year 2005, which paved the way for implementation of ban on Advertisement of Tobacco products at Point of Sale. SLP had been filed by Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) SLP in Supreme Court. In compliance to the orders of Supreme Court and the ban imposed by Govt on advertisement against tobacco products especially at Point of Sale, the anti-tobacco squad removed over 200 advertisement boards, in Srinagar city.