Chennai: Shops that sell banned tobacco products like gutkha and paan will be sealed if they don’t stop selling them even after notice is served and fine is levied, said Tamilnadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian.
Subramanian held a review meeting with food safety officials, police and local administration department in which it was decided to seal retail shops which sell banned tobacco products like gutkha in the state.
Speaking to the media, he said, “Towards ensuring a tobacco free Tamilnadu, we held a meeting with police, local administration apart from the food safety officials. A committee will be formed comprising representatives of the three departments who will take action against those traders for selling banned tobacco products.”
A three-pronged strategy is being put in place — checks on shops selling the banned items, spreading awareness on the ill-effects of tobacco use and roping in traders to take a pledge not to sell banned tobacco products.
Initially, a notice will be sent to the trader after which the shop will be sealed. Public can also complain about the sale of banned tobacco products to the authorities by dropping a message to Whatsapp number 9444042322. The identity of the complainant would be kept secret, he added.