MARGAO: Police stations in South Goa have taken strict action against violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), booking a total of 1,938 cases until May 2023. This figure marks a significant increase from the previous year when 1,206 cases were recorded during the same period, according to reliable sources in the department.
Notably, until December 4, 2022, South Goa Police had already registered 3,401 cases under the COTPA.
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A senior police officer emphasized that the Act strictly prohibits smoking of tobacco in public places, except within designated smoking zones at hotels, restaurants, airports, and open spaces.
The Act designates various locations where smoking is restricted, including auditoriums, movie theatres, hospitals, public transport (aircraft, buses, schools, trains), restaurants, hotels, bars, government and private offices, courts, post offices, markets, and educational institutions, among others.
Among the 3,401 cases recorded in 2022, Maina-Curtorim police accounted for 263 cases. The highest number of cases, 505 and 428 respectively, were filed by the Vasco Railway Police and Margao Police, while Fatorda and Cuncolim police booked 273 and 232 cases, respectively. Colva police registered 155 cases during the
same period.
Addressing the issue, a city advocate highlighted Section 6(a) of the Tobacco Control Act, 2003, which explicitly prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18.
The seller is required to verify that the buyer is not a minor, but such scrutiny is rarely carried out, as smoking is rampant amongst underage children, say social workers.
Additionally, Section 6(b) of the Tobacco Control Act, 2003 restricts the sale of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of any educational institution in order to discourage access for youth.
Display boards declaring the prohibition of tobacco sales to minors must be placed at the point of sale, as well as outside educational institutions.
