Bhubaneswar Unit-1 Market raided over tobacco product sale

Bhubaneswar (By Abhishek Mohanty): In a bid to curb banned tobacco product sales, a joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and Drugs Inspector conducted a raid at Unit-1 Market in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

According to reports, 3-4 shops selling tobacco and grocery shops were inspected.

One shop was sealed for violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).

Drugs Inspector Chandan Giri said, "By conducting raids at these shops, we can reach out to the source from where the tobacco products are being procured. Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer. Public and traders' awareness is most essential to prevent tobacco consumption."

The purpose of the raid was crackdown on gutkha sales.

Five days ago, similar raids were carried out at Unit-4 Market and Unit-9 area after receiving complaints regarding illegal drug trade in the localities.