Despite ban, sale of tobacco products flourishing in Salcete

MARGAO: Even as police have booked 3,921 cases under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), one can still see a number of shopkeepers in the villages of Salcete selling tobacco products.

Worse is that fact that even though sale of tobacco products around schools and colleges is banned, one can see labourers consuming tobacco products after purchasing the same from shopkeepers.

According to available information police stations across South Goa in 2023 booked  3,921 cases under COTPA, of which highest number of cases have been booked by  Vasco Railway being 499 cases while 415 were booked by Vasco police, 449 by Margao police and 299 by Colva police.

Besides, Maina-Curtorim police booked 269 cases, 282 were booked by Cuncolim police, Fatorda police booked 314 cases, 32 have been booked by Quepem police. 273 have been booked by Curchorem police, 141 by Sanguem police, Canacona police booked 143, Verna police booked 91 cases,  Mormugao booked 73 cases,  152 were booked by Dabolim, 202 cases have been booked by Ponda police and  Mardol police booked 43 and  244 were booked by Collem police.

In 2022, South Goa police stations booked 3,724 cases of which highest number of 525  were booked by Margao police, 263 were booked by Maina-Curtorim, 215 by Colva police, 275 by Cuncolim, 295 by Fatorda police, 57 were booked by Quepem police, 374 by Curchorem police. 93 cases were  booked by  Sanguem police and 165 by Canacona police.

A total of 39 cases were booked by Vasco police, 3 were booked by Verna and 44 by Mormugao police. 505 cases were booked by Vasco railway and 240 by Airport police. Ponda police booked 397 cases in its jurisdiction and 234 cases were booked by Collem police.

One of the police inspectors from Salcete police station said that people should realise that consuming tobacco products is harmful to health.

Smoking as well as  selling  tobacco products at public places like schools, hospitals, courts, sports stadium, railway stations, bus terminals, and in bars and restaurants, and cinema houses are prohibited under the law.

Any violation would result in booking cases under COPTA, the officer said.

“We are keeping watch regarding sale of tobacco products in and around schools and colleges. 

If anyone is found selling tobacco products to below 18-year-olds, then licenses of such shops can be cancelled,” he said.