Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has sought help from his counterpart in Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa to see that smuggling of tobacco products from either state does not take place.
On May 25 this year, the Kerala government imposed a complete ban on sale and consumption of tobacco products such as gutka and paan masala.
The authorities have been conducting raids to see if shops sell them and of late have found that these products are being smuggled from Tamil Nadu.
"I would like to request your good self to use your significant influence and direct your enforcement agencies to ensure that the banned tobacco products are not smuggled into Kerala. Let`s fight this menace together as this is taking away precious life of our younger generations," reads Chandy`s letter to Jayalalithaa.
The violators would serve a jail term from six months up to six years or be fined up to Rs.10 lakh.
According to a recent study conducted in the state, 10.7 percent of the adults consume tobacco products.
IANS
