11 shops sealed in crackdown on sale of banned tobacco products

Madurai: Eleven shops which were found selling banned tobacco products, were sealed by the food safety department officials during inspections conducted along with the police from May 11 to 17.Officials inspected 2,106 shops and found 11 of them selling banned tobacco products. In joint inspections by the food safety department and police, 41.226kg of banned tobacco products valued at Rs43,000 were seized. In the three cases registered by the police, 25.044kg of goods valued at Rs25,000 were seized. In total, 66.27 kg of banned tobacco products valued at Rs68,000 were seized.A total fine of Rs1.75 lakh was imposed on seven shops found violating the rules for the first time, and a total fine of Rs2 lakh was imposed on four shops found violating the rules for the second time, taking the total fine collected to Rs3.75 lakh.Officials said that intensive measures to prevent the sale of banned tobacco products, including gutka and pan masala, were being carried out in Madurai district. Members of the public were requested to immediately inform the food safety department or the police if they came to know of the sale of such products in their areas, and to cooperate accordingly.