MP government to ban sale of tobacco near college campuses

Bhopal: Aiming to make college campuses tobacco free, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to ban the sale of tobacco products within a 100-metre radius of these institutions, an official release said. Those violating norms would have to pay a penalty of Rs 200, it said, adding that the government has directed college principals to install warning boards at various points in the campus.

The government also said that if anybody is found smoking or chewing tobacco products within the campus and the concerned principal fails to take any action, then the penalty would be realised from the head of the institute.
Under the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Act 2003, principal and college teachers are empowered to take action against those smoking and chewing tobacco in the campus.
The Act put a blanket ban on smoking in government offices, entertainment centres, libraries, hospitals, stadiums, hotels, shopping malls, coffee houses, private offices, court campuses, railway stations, bus stops, auditoriums, public transport, educational institutions, tea-stalls, roadside eateries and other public places.
Any person found smoking at these places would have to pay a fine of Rs 200 , it said.