Mangaluru Police crack down on tobacco sale near educational institutions; Book 153 shops under COTPA

Mangaluru Police conducted a large-scale operation targeting the sale of cigarettes and gutka in the vicinity of schools and colleges across the city.

A total of 348 shops and establishments were searched during the special drive, resulting in the identification of 153 shops violating the regulations by selling cigarettes, gutka, or both.

In response, all offenders have been booked under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and fined Rs 200 each. Additionally, the shop owners were issued strict warnings against engaging in such activities in the future.