Ludhiana: Despite the ban imposed on loose cigarette by health department on January 8, 2015, vendors sitting at different nook and corners in different areas of the city are still selling.

However, loose cigarettes are being sold by the vendors in the city continuously despite ban imposed by the state health department. Authorities should take strict action so that the ban imposed would implement soon.

The Punjab government notified the ban on sale of loose cigarettes on January 8, 2015.

It stated the sale of loose cigarettes and loose tobacco violated Section 7 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, which say no tobacco product can be sold without pictorial warning about its health consequences. Moreover, loose cigarettes are affordable and one can easily have whenever they want.

Towards banning loose cigarettes, Punjab government has demonstrated its commitment for caring the health of the people.

However, vendors are openly selling the cigarette and tobacco products at various places in the city. Even teenagers are having an easy approach to tobacco products and cigarette as these are available normally from the cigarette and tobacco vendors.

Navjot Singh resident of Model Town said, “Health department had taken the good initiative to remove drugs from the state by imposing a ban on selling of loose cigarettes but failed to implement the ban as most of the vendors are still selling. Moreover, number of youth is indulging in drugs day by day.

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