Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, a surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, says, “It will be a big step in eradicating the problem which is more relevant than liquor and drugs. It will be a deterrent, as earlier the police would impose a fine of Rs 200. Now it will deter sellers from distributing tobacco products to minors.” (Representational image)
Bengaluru: Selling tobacco products to minors will henceforth be punishable with rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years and fines of up to Rs 1 lakh.
The central government has amended Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, to bring in harsh penalties. Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, a surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, says, “It will be a big step in eradicating the problem which is more relevant than liquor and drugs. It will be a deterrent, as earlier the police would impose a fine of Rs 200. Now it will deter sellers from distributing tobacco products to minors.”
