No tobacco products in shops near schools : JSCC

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 20: Joint Students' Coordinating Committee (JSCC) has begun seizing tobacco products from shops and vendors located within a 100 metre radius of schools, colleges and other educational institutes and disposing them by burning, from today onwards.
The body also warned that if any shop is found selling such products in the future, the shop concerned will be closed down indefinitely.
A 20 member youth task force, comprising of members from JSCC, MSF, SUK and KSA, conducted a drive at the shops located within a 100 meter radius of Imphal College today and seized cigarettes, Talab and other tobacco products.
The seized items, along with other items seized from various other locates, were burned in front of Imphal College gate and disposed.
Speaking to media persons, JSCC convenor Manjit Sarangthem said that from today, the body will begin conducting such drives at the areas surrounding schools, colleges and other educational institutions with the aim of ensuring a tobacco and drug free zone.
If any shops are found selling such items, they will be closed down indefinitely, he said, adding that the shops from which the items were seized today, were let off after giving a stern warning.
He explained that as per the law, sale of tobacco products is prohibited within a radius of 100 metres of an education institute.
In other States of the country, if  shop is found violating this rule, heavy penalties are slapped on them, he said, adding that on July 14 last year, the Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare had even issued a notice prohibiting sale of tobacco products.
However, lack of proper action by the authorities concerned has resulted in many youth being consumed by these drugs, he added.