Ranchi: In the cities of Jharkhand, licences have to be obtained for selling cigarettes, zarda, pan masala, tobacco-khaini or any kind of tobacco products. Toffees, candy, biscuits, tea, cold drinks or any kind of food or beverage will not be sold in shops where tobacco products will be sold. Jharkhand Urban Development Secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey has issued an order following CM Hemant Soren's approval on the new rules. All rules for the sale of tobacco products have come into force with immediate effect, but vendors have been given time till March 31, 2022, to obtain licenses. Licenses will be issued through municipal bodies. Transportation, collection, distribution or sale of pan masala and tobacco products will be prohibited without a valid e-way bill. The order issued by the Department stated that if a businessman, shopkeeper, a person is found violating the order, penal action will be taken against him in accordance with Sections 455 and 466 of the Jharkhand Municipal Act, 2011.

Also, traders selling all types of tobacco or tobacco products can sell only tobacco or tobacco products under their locality by obtaining licences, licences or approvals from municipal corporations, municipal councils, Nagar panchayats, notified area committees. People under the age of 18 can be imprisoned for seven years and fined up to 1 lakh if caught selling tobacco products. Statistics show that 50.1 per cent of people in Jharkhand consume tobacco. The percentage of males is 63.6 while that of women is 35.9.

Earlier, the Jharkhand Assembly had completely banned hookah bars in the state in the last budget session by passing the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products, the Jharkhand Amendment Bill, 2021. Non-compliance provides for punishment ranging from one to three years and fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh. There is a provision of a fine of 1,000 rupees for all types of tobacco use in public places in the state. In addition to educational institutions, the sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of government offices, hospitals and courts is also completely prohibited.

India reaches 285/6 at lunch after twin strikes by Ajaz Patel

India Covid-19 overview: 8,603 New cases, active cases falls to 99,974

Several trains cancelled due to 'Jawad' storm, check here full list