The Madras High Court has directed the officials concerned to check the menace of smoking in public places and to form special squads to raid shops and confiscate tobacco products being sold near schools.
Justice N. Kirubakaran, who exactly a year ago pushed the authorities to enforce compulsory helmet rule in the State through a judicial order, gave this direction on Wednesday.
Quoting King James I of England who said, “Smoking is hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain and dangerous to the lungs,” the Madras High Court Judge observed that it was alarming to know that there was extensive use of tobacco products among schoolchildren, though Statues and Rules prohibit selling such products to children. “Though strict laws have been enacted in this regard, they have not been duly implemented by the agencies concerned. Therefore, sensitisation of parents as well as children to the ill-effects of tobacco is the need of the hour,” Justice Kirubakaran added.
Passing interim orders on a plea moved by T.C. Sharath seeking action against persons who smoke in public places, the judge directed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Director General of Police, and the Commissioner of Police, Chennai to file a report on the action taken by June 20.
Asserting that the authorities concerned have failed to implement the laws regarding sale of tobacco products to children, the judge pointed out a survey conducted by a NGO during January-March, 2016 in and around 22 private and government schools in Chennai. According to the survey, there was 100 percent violation of provisions which prohibits sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.
About 87.7 percent of the shops in the vicinity of the schools sold cigarettes which can be easily bought by children, and 84 percent shops have people smoking in front of the shops.
Noting that it was the bounden duty of all concerned to safeguard the people, especially children, from the evil effects of smoking, tobacco use, and passive smoking, Justice Kirubakaran passed the interim order directing the authorities to take immediate action under the prevailing laws to check the menace.
The judge then posted the plea to June 20 for further hearing.
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, DGP and CoP asked to give report by June 20
