Tobacco Sales Thrive Near Educational Institutions Despite Restrictions

Swift Summary

• Recent searches by elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and NTR commissionerate in Vijayawada exposed poor enforcement of COPTA-2003.
• EAGLE head IGP Ake Ravi Krishna and DCP K.G.V. Saritha led raids near educational institutions near Pinnamaneni Polyclinic Road, Benz Circle.
• Shops were found selling banned gutkha, tobacco products, and cigarettes close to schools, colleges, and institutes despite complaints from locals.
• Students were discovered smoking in secret rooms attached to certain paan shops.
• Shop owners were booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) 1985 after being educated about relevant laws by officials.
• Director-General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta instructed police to ban sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions as per TOFEI guidelines.

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