MARGAO
With consumption of cigarettes and movement of tobacco products on the rise during the peak tourist season, the district administration, South along with NGOs will launch a two-month crack down on use and sale of tobacco products, beginning from November 15 under the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) Act.
Officials of the Collectorate, Excise, Transport, Police, Customs and central excise, Airport, Port, commercial taxes, railways police force will be roped in the major operation t
o ensure smoke-free South Goa district. Respective agencies will not only crack a whip against brazen sale of tobacco products in the markets, but has been asked to concentrate at the check points, airports and the ports to stop illegal transport of tobacco products into the State.
A high level meeting chaired by South Goa Additional Collector, Agnelo Fernandes and attended by representatives of legal metrology, civil supplies, commercial taxes, airport, excise, customs, police, besides GOACAN convenor Roland Martins have decided to sensitise officials and stake holders on the ban on sale of tobacco products under COTPA.
Given that foreign tourists are found smoking in public places no sooner they land at the airport, it has been decided to write to the Tourism department to make a mention on their website about COTPA norms for the information of the tourists. Airport and transport officials have been told to put up signages of ban on the sale of cigarettes in violation of COTPA rules, including sale without the mandatory pictorial health warning.
Roland told the meeting that cigarettes from China sans pictorial health warnings have found its way in the Goan market, and which has become an instant hit with the consumers. These cheap cigarettes, he said, are being carried by the tourists in the European markets given its cheap rate compared to other costly brands.
The meeting was also informed by Legal Metrology official Arun Panchwadkar that cigarette and tobacco consignment comes to Margao twice a week by train from Bhatkal.
A high level meeting chaired by South Goa Additional Collector, Agnelo Fernandes and attended by representatives of legal metrology, civil supplies, commercial taxes, airport, excise, customs, police, besides GOACAN convenor Roland Martins have decided to sensitise officials and stake holders on the ban on sale of tobacco products under COTPA.
Given that foreign tourists are found smoking in public places no sooner they land at the airport, it has been decided to write to the Tourism department to make a mention on their website about COTPA norms for the information of the tourists. Airport and transport officials have been told to put up signages of ban on the sale of cigarettes in violation of COTPA rules, including sale without the mandatory pictorial health warning.
Roland told the meeting that cigarettes from China sans pictorial health warnings have found its way in the Goan market, and which has become an instant hit with the consumers. These cheap cigarettes, he said, are being carried by the tourists in the European markets given its cheap rate compared to other costly brands.
The meeting was also informed by Legal Metrology official Arun Panchwadkar that cigarette and tobacco consignment comes to Margao twice a week by train from Bhatkal.
