Shimla: To enforce no smoking in public places, the Himachal Pradesh government has permitted the police to spot fine offenders of the law.
A government spokesman stated that police personnel not below the rank of a head constable has been authorised to impose and collect the fine as well as compound the offence under under Section 4 of the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Production, supply and Distribution Act, 2003) in their respective jurisdiction.
In addition, central government personnel are also authorized to do so. Police has been authorised to impose and collect fines as well as compound the offence under Section 6 of the Act also.
It was in January 2002 that the state government prohibited smoking in public places, which were defined out as auditoriums, hospital buildings, health institutions, educational institutions, libraries, court buildings, public offices and public conveyances, including railways, in pursuance of directions from the Supreme Court to states and union territories.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
