Aqzar Raheel 

Ganderbal May 2(KNZ): Authorities conducted an anti-smoking drive in the Kangan area of Ganderbal district on Saturday, during which 17 individuals were fined for violating provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003,Officials said.

Officials told Kashmir News Zone that the drive, carried out by Police Station Kangan in collaboration with the Food Safety Department under the “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan”, focused on curbing smoking in public places.

Inspections were carried out across hospital premises, bus stands, sumo stands, government offices, restaurants and other public locations,they said.

Officials said a total fine of ₹1,450 was collected from violators during the drive.

In a related action, a street vendor found selling tobacco products within 100 yards of an educational institution was directed to cease operations,they said

The enforcement exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to regulate tobacco use in public spaces and ensure compliance with existing laws.(KNZ)