Through an order, the Executive Magistrate-cum-Director Public Instruction (Schools), SK Setia, has prohibited nearly 125 shops from selling cigarettes and other tobacco products within 100 yards of all educational institutes in Chandigarh . The said shops face closure should they fail to comply with the order.

The order has come in response to a number of complaints filed by social activist Hemant Goswami, who is also a member of the ‘National Steering Committee on Tobacco Control’ constituted by the Union Government.

Earlier, the entire city was surveyed, and an NGO named ‘Burning Brain Society’ prepared a list of nearly 125 tobacco vendors selling tobacco products within 100 yards of any educational institution. The list was forwarded to various departments of the Chandigarh administration. Separate notices were also sent to many educational institutions to bar the sale of tobacco within 100 yards of their campuses, and report to the enforcement agencies in case of any violation.

During her address to the Nation on the eve of the 62nd Independence Day, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil discussed the ill-effects of tobacco consumption in India. She said: "…consumption of tobacco in India causes major health problems and about eight lakh deaths per year. According to a recent study, the personal and social costs of tobacco-related cancer, heart and lung diseases were estimated to be around Rs 30,800 crore about six years ago and are only increasing…"

According to Section 6 of the "Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003" and "Prohibition on sale of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products around Educational Institutions Rules 2004", it's illegal to sell tobacco within 100 yards of any educational institute or to sell any tobacco product to any person under the age of 18. The clause also empowers all police officials, food and drug inspectors to take action in case of any violation.

Meanwhile, the administration has totally failed to prevent vendors from selling tobacco products near educational institutions. Many of these unauthorised vendors also sell narcotics and drugs.

Earlier in January this year, a mobile tobacco vendor located inside the High Court was found to be selling drugs. On Thursday, the NCB arrested a drug dealer who was operating under the garb of a tobacco seller.