Two Shopkeepers Fined for Selling Tobacco Products Within 100 Meters of Educational Institution

A mobile court has fined two shopkeepers a total of Tk 3,000 for selling tobacco products and displaying tobacco advertisements within the prohibited zone of an educational institution in Gopalganj town.

The drive was conducted at around 4:00 PM on Tuesday (June 9) near the gate of S.M. Model School under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate A.K.M. Faizul Bari.

According to court sources, Section 5(1)(Chha) of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 prohibits the display of tobacco product advertisements. Furthermore, Section 6(1)(Kha) of the same law makes it a punishable offense to sell tobacco products within 100 meters of any educational institution.

During the operation, legal action was taken against Sohag Molla (25), owner of Qawmi Store, and Eskander Ali Molla (45), owner of Messrs Ohiduzzaman Store. Each was fined Tk 1,500, bringing the total penalty to Tk 3,000.

The shopkeepers were also warned not to sell tobacco products near educational institutions in the future and to refrain from displaying any form of tobacco-related advertisements.

Executive Magistrate A.K.M. Faizul Bari stated that such mobile court drives would continue to ensure public health protection and promote a tobacco-free environment. He also emphasized that strict legal action would be taken against those who violate the law.