Kerala plans raids against tobacco shops

The Kerala government has planned to conduct statewide raids against tobacco shops located near educational institutions, says sources in the state government.

The state health department in a recent order has authorised police officers not below the rank of sub-inspectors to conduct raids and seizures under Section 12 of COTPA, 2003.

Though Kerala is the first state in the country which had implemented a ban on smoking in public places, the percentage of tobacco consumption is comparatively high in the state.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2009-10, conducted by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has revealed that 21.4 percent of adults, 35.5 percent of males and 8.5 percent of females use tobacco in any form.

According to state health ministry data, as many as 2.8 million people in the state face the threat of premature deaths on account of tobacco use.

To curb the sale of tobacco products near schools and colleges, the state government has issued a ban on the sale of these products with in 400 meters of educational institutions.

Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy had even sent a letter to Prime Minister asking him to ban the sale of tobacco in India

It is alleged that some tobacco companies are trying to sabotage the state government order banning sale of tobacco products.