Patiala, June 18 A team of health officials conducted raids and issued challans to 12 shopkeepers and other people under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) Act. The raids were conducted under the ‘Tandarust Punjab Changgi Sehat Channgi Soch’ mission on Monday. The team also collected Rs 1,500 as fine from the offenders. The health officials conducted raids at the Shere Punjab market, on the Rajpura road, the Sirhind bypass road, near Punjabi University, Urban Estate and other places to check the sale of tobacco products. The officials said the team found that despite the ban, tobacco products were being sold at shops in various areas. Officials said the shopkeepers were selling lighters and open packets of cigarettes in violation of the Act. The officials said they issued challans to 12 shops and people under Sections 4 and 6 of the COTPA Act during the drive and also collected Rs 1,500 as fine. Dr Malkit Singh, nodal officer, district tobacco control cell, informed people about the ill-effects of tobacco consumption. Civil Surgeon Harish Malhotra said: “Shopkeepers are not allowed to sell loose cigarettes. They can also be fined if they store and sell lighters and matchsticks.” He said the health officials would strengthen their drive and conduct raids at hotels and other places also.

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