Madras HC expresses concern over easy access of tobacco products, alcohol to students
Chennai: Expressing deep anguish over easy access of tobacco products and alcohol to school students and children the Madras high court has observed that “if this situation is allowed to continue one day Tamil Nadu might become another Punjab.”
When a petition filed by T.C. Sharath of Studio 11 of Trustpuram, Kodambakkam, seeking action against smokers in the public places and shop keepers selling tobacco products to students came up for hearing on Tuesday, Justice N. Kirubakaran made the observation.
The judge directed authorities to seize products as per section 14 of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (Copta Act).
The judge directed the additional government pleader Sanjay Gandhi and additional advocate general Venkatramani to submit details of the raids conducted by the state and central authorities places and the results of such raids every month across the state districtwise.
When the matter came up for hearing on June 13, 2016, the judge directed the authorities to book the persons, who smoke in public places as per section 21 of the Act and file a report before the court.
The judge observed that there was extensive use of tobacco products among schoolchildren, though statues and rules prohibit selling such products to children. The judge has posted the matter for further hearing to March 21.
