Team Herald
MARGAO: In the past seven months, the South Goa police have strictly implemented the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, booking 3,765 cases in until July 21 and collecting Rs 7,53,000 in fines.
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Despite Section 6(b) of the Tobacco Control Act restricting the sale of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions, sales continue in these areas. Display boards prohibiting tobacco sales to minors are required at points of sale and outside educational institutions, but few have complied.
Police stations in South Goa have been ramping up action against COTPA violations, booking 1,938 cases until May in 2023, a significant increase from the previous year’s 1,206 cases during the same period. By December 4, 2022, South Goa Police had already registered 3,401 cases under COTPA.
The highest number of cases were booked by Dabolim Police (516), followed by Margao (388), Vasco Railway Police (382), and Colva Police (240). Other police stations that booked a significant number of cases include Maina-Curtorim (176), Cuncolim (251), Fatorda (164), Quepem (88), Curchorem (169), Sanguem (203), Canacona (182), and Verna (133).
A police inspector in South Goa noted that the Act restricts smoking in various locations, including auditoriums, movie theatres, hospitals, public transport, restaurants, hotels, bars, government and private offices, courts, post offices, markets, and educational institutions.
In 2022, Maina-Curtorim Police accounted for 263 cases, while Vasco Railway Police and Margao Police filed the highest number of cases (505 and 428, respectively). Fatorda and Cuncolim Police booked 273 and 232 cases, respectively, and Colva Police registered 155 cases during the same period.
