In an effort to execute tobacco control regulations to safeguard the health of the public, Chandigarh authorities executed an effective search on Wednesday, seizing illegal cigarettes and fining business owners. The combined raid, conducted by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, demonstrated excellent interdepartmental coordination. The operation involved officials from four law enforcement authorities removing health, exchequer and taxes, metrology in law enforcement and food safety who were focused on premises believed to be selling cigarettes illegitimately.
The operation led to the identification of two stores involved in the unlawful sale of cigarettes. The first instance involved Ashok Kumar Chaurasiya from Mauli Jagran. The officials found imported cigarettes in Mr. Chaurasiya’s possession which were not properly documented and did not bear the mandatory signage from Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003. There were also no 85% pictorial health warnings as per the law on those cigarettes making one question how did these cigarettes escaped the customs, excise and GST controls.
Mr Chaurasiya has been penalized with a set of sanctions because of those offences. He got a ₹5,000 fine from the Department of Controller Legal Metrology for not functioning with a” Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence. A challan was issued under the Food Safety Act. Authorities seized 33 packages of imported cigarettes worth around ₹13,200. This seizure might result in a loss of revenue for individuals participating in the illegal cigarette business.
The second shop, run by Vikash from Mauli Jagran, was found to be selling both loose cigarettes and imported cigarettes without proper records or mandated signage. Similar to Mr Chaurasiya, Vikash faced a combination of fines. The COTPA violation resulted in a ₹200 fine, while the Excise and Taxation department imposed a ₹2,000 penalty. Additionally, the Department of Controller Legal Metrology levied a ₹5,000 fine. Authorities also seized 20 packets of imported cigarettes, with an estimated value of ₹8,000, along with loose cigarettes worth ₹2,500. These seizures further disrupt the illegal cigarette market and serve as a deterrent to other shopkeepers considering similar practices.
This raid indicates the Chandigarh administration’s willingness to implement tobacco control regulations. The selling of illicit cigarettes not only puts customers’ health in danger but also deprives the government of important tax income. The COTPA laws, in particular, seek to limit tobacco use by preventing access and raising public knowledge about the health risks of tobacco products. The conspicuous display of visual advisories on cigarette packs is an important part of this approach.
The success experienced during that raid stressed the importance of people working together from different departments to crack down on illegal cigarette sales. Various government players such as health, law enforcers and regulators have to work together if they want to conduct effective enforcement operations concerning this matter. Systems like this will have to be used in future operations by combining no space for people who may decide to continue smoking behind the law.
The exact size of the illicit cigarette market in Chandigarh is undefined, but the authorities showed their intention to stop it with a successful raid. Even more, action can be taken targeting public awareness campaigns to sensitize consumers on the dangers of purchasing them and ask them to report suspected cases instead. Moreover, enhancing border controls and partnering with other countries to dis-organize smugglers’ networks could also effectively decrease the supply of illicit cigarettes.
