Daily Times

LAHORE: The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) has pulled its socks up against the shopkeepers who are selling cigarettes to children under the age of 18 years.

In this connection, Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Captain (r) Muhammad Usman sealed some shops in Gulberg and Shadman area and get arrested shopkeepers.

The DCO said that no shopkeeper could sale cigarettes to children under the age of 18 years as per the law. He directed all town administration to take action in regard.

Meanwhile, the Samanabad administration sealed five shops and get their owners arrested on selling cigarette to children below the age of 18.

Usman said no relaxation would be given to shopkeepers and town administrators must keep an eye on shops selling cigarettes to underage children.

According to the “Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance 2002”, no person can sell cigarettes or any other smoking substance to anyone who is below the age of 18 years.

According to the law, violators shall be punished with a fine, which may be extended to Rs 5,000 and in case of second or subsequent offence, shall be imprisoned for a period, which may be extended to three months, or a fine, which shall not be less than Rs 100,000 or both.

Meanwhile, taking notice of the death of a two-year-old boy, whose body was recovered from a manhole from Yaseen Park, the Lahore DCO has ordered for an inquiry. He has appointed Lahore ADC (G) and DGBT administrator as inquiry officials and asked them to furnish report of the incident within 24 hours.

Separately, Capt (r) Usman paid a visit to Upper Mall to check performance of polio teams on the second day of three days polio drive. He also administrated polio drops to children. He said the polio teams were achieving target successfully.