Flash inspections under way against banned tobacco products

Noticing a spike in the sale of banned tobacco products, the police have intensified flash inspections in various wayside shops located closer to schools and colleges in Kozhikode. Cafes, cool bars, and eateries in several locations have also been brought under surveillance following confidential complaints from the school authorities and parents.

Along with the local police, special squads from the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) and Crime Squad members under the District Police Chiefs will take part in flash inspections. The Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police are also alert to attempts to smuggle banned tobacco products by train.

“As migrant workers have been found associated with the bulk retail of smuggled tobacco products, their temporary accommodations will be inspected frequently with the support of the local police. The building owners have also been asked to be watchful of any illegal activities by tenants,” said a police officer from the Anti-Narcotics squad. He added that students’ support would be sought to help identify local traders of banned tobacco products.

According to DANSAF officers, they had carried out multiple raids in several suspected spots ahead of the school reopening in the district. There were also considerable seizures from some of the suspected spots apart from the arrest of the carriers, they said.

Meanwhile, the district administration announced a new project to declare all educational institutions tobacco-free zones by June 30. The campaign with the mission would be carried out in view of the upcoming ‘World No Tobacco Day’. A district-level meeting with the heads of various government departments was also held at the Collectorate recently to plan the project execution.

“We have decided to start the activities by launching a ‘Yellow Line Campaign’, which will ensure the participation of students and teachers in forming a human chain within a 100-metre radius of schools. The purpose is to reiterate that the area is a no-tobacco zone,” said a senior Revenue department official. He added that the formation of school-level vigilance committees, awareness classes against tobacco use, and the erection of anti-tobacco boards in public places would be carried out as part of the aggressive campaign.

Published - June 04, 2025 08:56 pm IST