Raid shops for selling tobacco: Madras High court

Chennai: Expressing shock over the extensive use of tobacco products among school going children, the Madras high court directed the state, DGP and the Commissioner of Police to immediately form special squads and conduct surprise raids on shops located within 100 yards of educational institutions and take steps to punish the persons who are selling cigarettes or other tobacco products to persons below the age of 18 years.

Justice N.Kirubakaran also directed that the special squads to book those persons who smoke in public places. The judge gave the directives on a petition from M/s Studio 11 represented by T.C. Sharath, which sought action agai-nst smokers in public places and shopkeepers who sell tobacco products to students.