Pramesh S Jain
The East Division police conducted a special enforcement drive on the occasion of No Smoking Day, inspecting 801 shops and registering hundreds of cases for violations related to tobacco products.
The operation was carried out on March 11 under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikram Amate.As part of the drive,68 teams were formed across various police station limits in the East Division.
During the operation,police teams conducted surprise inspections at petty shops,bakeries,condiments stores and hotels located near schools and colleges across Bengaluru.
Officials inspected a total of 801 establishments and registered 324 cases under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) for violations related to the sale and use of tobacco products.
In addition,334 petty cases were also booked during the drive.
Police said the special operation was aimed not only at enforcing the law but also at creating awareness among the public about the harmful effects of smoking and the use of tobacco products,particularly near educational institutions.
The department appealed to the public to strictly follow the legal provisions related to tobacco use and sale. Police officials added that similar enforcement drives will continue in the coming days to protect public health and maintain law and order.
