Thiruvananthapuram: No shop within a 500-metre radius of schools in Kerala can now sell tobacco products, said a state minister.
Tobacco products include cigarettes, beedis and other items containing tobacco.
Following a high level meeting with police officials, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told reporters Friday that the new order comes into force with immediate effect.
"The earlier rule was 100 metres and the new one comes under our government's new programme called 'Safe Campus, Clean Campus'. Strict action will be taken against those violating this new rule," he said.
The minister said: "Since the 'Safe Campus, Clean Campus' programme was launched a month back, 13,950 shops were raided, 2,444 cases registered and 2,346 people arrested. With this new 500-metre rule, more raids will be conducted and action taken against violators," added Chennithala.
He said a major campaign against the use of tobacco products through the "Safe Campus, Clean Campus" programme is being launched and superstar Mammootty will be its brand ambassador.
Chennithala also issued a stern warning to the state's luxury hotels where drugs are believed to be used freely during parties. "We have intelligence reports that plush hotels and resorts in popular tourist destinations are holding 'drug parties'. There will be no mercy shown to such law breakers," he said.
Comments
| Quick linksNews
National
International
Regional
Politics
Education & Career
Business
Science & Technology
Health
Views & Analysis
The Funny Side
© 2012 Awaz Multimedia & Publications. All rights reserved.
The maiden budget of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saw the IT exemption limit for those below 60 raised from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.2.5 lakh and from Rs.2.5 lakh to Rs.3 lakh for senior citizens. It also proposed to use the huge amount of money lying "unclaimed" in saving schemes for the welfare of senior citizens........ More
Also Read: Modi govt's first budget targets 7-8 percent growth in three years
At least 81 Palestinians have died and more than 500 have been injured since Israel launched Operation Protective Edge two days ago to prevent rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said Thursday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out any ceasefire...... More
Also Read: Israel has killed 1 Palestinian teen every 3 days in past 13 years
Congress and caste parties decimated, whither Indian Muslims?By giving them frontline roles in communal conflicts, the Sangh Parivar has dignified Mochis, Khatiks (fruit sellers), Lohars (blacksmiths), Nayis (barbers), Valmikis (toilet cleaners), dhobis (laundry washers) in large numbers as Hindutva's foot soldiers..... More
A Real Euro-star and world's most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, refused to wear a jersey with Israeli flag saying: "I do not exchange my shirt .... More
Also Read: Palestinian president seeks UN probe into Israeli crimes