Shillong: Over 1,100 individuals have been penalised for smoking in public places across East Khasi Hills as part of a stepped-up enforcement campaign by the Meghalaya Police.
The drive, carried out over the past three months, has led to the collection of Rs. 99,280 in fines, according to official sources.
Implemented under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the crackdown is being spearheaded by the state Health Department in coordination with the National Health Mission (NHM) and local police units.
The initiative targets violations under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which prohibits smoking in public areas and the sale of tobacco near educational institutions.
Police personnel from various stations, including Lumdiengjri and Cantonment Beat House, have actively detained individuals found smoking in public spaces or engaging in the illegal sale of tobacco products near schools and colleges.
Officials noted that 1,178 challans were issued during the drive, aimed not only at enforcement but also at promoting awareness around the harmful effects of tobacco use.
“The campaign is as much about behaviour change as it is about law enforcement,” a senior police officer overseeing the drive said.
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Health officials emphasised that secondhand smoke poses a serious risk to public health, especially to children, the elderly, and non-smokers.
Citing medical data, they added that tobacco use is responsible for 40% of all cancers and up to 90% of oral cancer cases in the country.
The anti-smoking campaign has received positive public feedback and is likely to continue with similar momentum across other districts in the state.
