Srinagar, 28 November :
Massive raids in and around Lal chowk srinagar particularly in koker Bazar area on the trade and sale of illicit cigarettes, pertinent to mention that J&K is implementing the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA) even though Kashmir is on the top of the Smoking consumption list and also for the sale of illict smoking. Srinagar District stands at number one on the sale and consumption of cigarettes as per the servey 2019.
The Civil Society Members in coordination with Food Safety Department government of J&K has raided today in the city centre in which areas like KukarBazar , Lalchock , and areas close to schools and colleges where also targeted during this campaign. One shop was seized and penalty of thousands imposed.
Mir Hilal Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Department government of J&K was heading this campaign while taking to media said that illicit smoking which include the brands like WIN , ESS and others are mostly sold without rules & regulation and specified warnings and today we have been able to seize licences of vendors and recovered illicit cigrattes worth thousands he added.He added that the campaign will continue to end this menance in Srinagar city.
It has been found that these cigarettes are cheeper and with out regulation attract the young and adolocent which has created menace in our socity , food safety department , Police station Maisuma (J&K Police ) and allied departments participated in this campaign and has been widely appreciated by the traders in the areas .
Raids on sale of illicit cigarettes in Srinagar; Shops seized and penalty imposed by Food Safty Department.
