By The Hindu Bureau
Various departments have imposed fines totalling ₹1.23 crore on shops selling banned tobacco and nicotine-laced products in Erode district.
In a release, District Collector S. Kandasamy said the State Government has banned products such as gutkha and pan masala. Following this, officials from the police, food safety, local bodies, health, and education departments conducted intensive inspections near schools and colleges. Shops found violating the ban were fined and sealed.
Since January 2025, 461 shops have been sealed, and fines totalling ₹1,23,25,000 were imposed. Around 778 kg of seized tobacco products have been destroyed by the district-level disposal committee.
Vendors face escalating penalties for repeat offences: ₹25,000 and 15-day closure for the first offence; ₹50,000 and 30-day closure for the second; and ₹1 lakh, 90-day closure, and temporary suspension of the food business licence for the third. So far, 53 legal cases have been filed, with courts imposing fines of ₹2.89 lakh. Joint inspections and vehicle checks are ongoing.
The public are urged to report the sale of banned products by calling 0424-2223545. Informants’ identities will be kept confidential.