The Punjab government on Thursday made it clear that the vendors selling addicting products to minors will be booked. The government will initiate a massive campaign to prevent the children from use of tobacco, nicotine addiction, alcohol and psychotropic substance.

The government has mandated to ensure the compliance of “Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015” (JJ Act) and “Cigarette and other Tobacco Product Act 2003” (COTPA) across the state.

Giving details on Thursday, Minister for Health and family Welfare Brahm Mohindra said that venders selling addicting products to a minor must be booked under Juvenile Justice Act 2015. He said that an order has been issued to the district authorities to take strict action against erring venders. He said that health and other concerned departments would jointly carry out the campaign to aware the young students and general public.

Mohindra further said that according to Section 77 of Juvenile Justice Act, "Whoever gives, or causes to be given, to any child any intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug or tobacco products or psychotropic substance, except on the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner, would be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and would also be liable to a fine which may extend up to one lakh rupees.

Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, Anjali Bhawra, said, a team lead by Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP), Jalandhar registered an First Information Report (FIR) under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 against a tobacco vendor, selling tobacco products to a minor. She said, it was the first case registered in Punjab.

similar action has been taken in Maharashtra and Haryana. She said that accused venders, who sell tobacco and psychotropic products to the minors, would be caught under this campaign.

Meanwhile, Director Health Services, Punjab, Dr Rajiv Bhalla, said that exemplary punishment to accuse, who sells tobacco products to anyone below 18 years, will definitely reduce the number of tobacco users among young children. According to ‘Global Adult Tobacco Survey Report’ (2009-10), 1, 60,000 minors (under 18) begin using tobacco every year in Punjab and 42 per cent of tobacco users start using tobacco before 18 years of age.