Special drive targets tobacco sales near schools

Thiruvananthapuram: Ahead of school reopening on Monday, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation launched a special enforcement drive to identify and remove shops and vendors selling tobacco products near educational institutions across the city. The drive is part of Operation Thoofan, an excise department campaign aimed at curbing the sale and distribution of tobacco and prohibited substances. The corporation is spearheading the city-level initiative with assistance from the Medical College Police. The first phase of inspections covered Ulloor, Medical College, Pattom and Kesavadasapuram, where health officials and enforcement teams checked roadside shops, petty establishments and lottery stalls near schools for compliance with tobacco control regulations. Officials found that several lottery vendors were allegedly selling banned tobacco products under the cover of lottery ticket sales, with tobacco sachets and other prohibited items concealed within these outlets, raising serious concerns about their accessibility to schoolchildren and teenagers. During the operation, teams seized five sacks of banned tobacco and intoxicating products stocked allegedly for sale to youngsters. The seized materials were destroyed on the spot. Authorities also demolished 30 illegal bunk shops and roadside kiosks found storing and selling prohibited products. Under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, the sale of tobacco within 100 yards of educational institutions is prohibited. Corporation officials said enforcement would be intensified around schools to ensure they remain tobacco-free zones. According to corporation officials, these products are being transported into the city from neighbouring states and distributed through temporary kiosks set up at various locations. They alleged that migrant youth below 18 were being employed to sell these products for daily wages. Officials noted that vendors frequently attempt to evade detection by operating through temporary stalls and lottery kiosks. Inspections will continue across other parts of the city in the coming days, and strict action will be taken against those found violating the law. The corporation has appealed to residents, parents and school authorities to cooperate with the campaign and report any instances of tobacco sales near schools, adding that the drive would continue throughout the school reopening period.