A team consisting of squad members under the COTPA (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product Act) conducted a surprise check of various shops on December 19 after receiving complaints from different educational institutions.

Headed by District Health Officer Leh along with officers/officials representatives from Police Station Leh, Drug Controller UT Ladakh, Food Inspector Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) Leh, Inspector Sale Tax UT Ladakh, District Consultant National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) Leh, Inspector Municipal Committee, UT Ladakh inspected various shop.

The team seized several cigarettes and other tobacco products valued at thousands of rupees and destroyed them on the spot in the presence of all squad members.  Rs. 7,000 was imposed on three violators, as a penalty under the rules.

The shopkeepers are warned to be cautious, failing which their shop license will be canceled if found selling tobacco under 100 yards of any educational institutions, and the violators will be dealt with very seriously under the COTPA rules.