Assam to ban all non-smoking tobacco products from tomorrow
Guwahati, Feb 12 (PTI) Manufacturing and use of non-
smoking tobacco products in Assam will be banned from tomorrow
with the government to notify the relevant Act, Health and
Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said today.
In July last year, the Assam Health (Prohibition of
Manufacturing, Trade, Advertisement, Storage, Distribution,
Sale and Consumption of Zarda, Gutkha, Pan masala Containing
Tobacco) Bill 2013, was introduced in the House.
"We have received the Governor's assent to the Bill. Today
we will notify it and it will become an Act. From tomorrow,
all non-smoking tobacco products will be banned in Assam,"
Sarma said.
It was clarified that tobacco would include all products,
which were smokeless and for chewing, and included leaves and
parts of Nicotiana-Tabacum.
Under the act, those engaged in manufacturing,
advertising, storing and trading, distributing and selling
zarda, gutkha, panmasala containing tobacco would invite
punishment.
A violator could be punished with imprisonment up to seven
years and a fine not less than Rs one lakh, which might extend
up to Rs five lakh.
The Act also suggested a fine of Rs 1,000 on the consumer
for the first offence and Rs 2,000 for the second and any
subsequent offences.
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