Anti-tobacco squad to be flagged off on July 13

KOCHI: The district-level anti-tobacco squad will be flagged off on Wednesday. It will monitor the use of tobacco products at public places and charge an amount of Rs 200 on persons who are found violating Indian Tobacco Control Act. According to the Act, smoking in public spaces, selling tobacco products within 100 metre radius of schools and selling tobacco products to students under the age of 18 years are unlawful.  The squad has been set up as part of the district administration’s Tobacco-free Ernakulam programme. The programme is supported by the District Medical Office, National Rural Health Mission, Kerala Voluntary Health Service and other organisations concerned. It will start operating from July 18. The squad consists of Assistant Commissioner of Narcotic Cell Joseph Saju, District Medical Officer K Sudhakaran, Assistant Drug Inspector Sijo, PRD asistant editor Chandrahasan, Excise Inspector Devadas, Husoor Sharisthaar K  Chandrashekharan Nair, Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector K K Rajeev, Assistant Provident Fund Officer Vilasini and I M Mussar from the Panchayat Department.