Beware! Selling cigarettes to minors, will invite 7 years jail, Rs 1 lakh penalty

New Delhi, Jan 15: Beware of selling cigarettes or chewable tobacco to minors as you may face 7 years of jail term or penalty of Rs1 lakh from Friday.

According to new Juvenile Justice Act that came into force from today specifies penalties for various offences such as for giving a child narcotic substances, employing a child for begging, etc.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (2 of 2016), the Central Government hereby appoints the 15th day of January, 2016 as the date on which the said Act shall come into force," notified the Ministry of child and women development on January 12.

It specifies imprisonment up to seven years and fine up to Rs1 lakh for giving a child any intoxicating liquor, narcotic, drug, tobacco and psychotropic substances.

The new provisions have been made for the underage people 16-18 years to prevent them from the harmful effects of smoking and tighten the noose around those selling pan masala, gutka and cigarettes to children.

The new act permits juveniles between the ages of 16-18 years to be tried as adults for heinous offences. Also, any 16-18 year old, who commits a lesser, i.e., serious offence, may be tried as an adult only if he is apprehended after the age of 21 years.

OneIndia News