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Tobacco Raid |
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Bhutan banned the sale of tobacco products on 17th December 2004 declaring itself the first tobacco free nation. However it contradicts the name today as the black market for tobacco is on the rise.
Despite strict vigilance by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Revenue and Custom and repeated awareness through media on the ban of tobacco, people are not following the ban.
Because of the ban, the illegal sale of the tobacco products fetched good money not only to shopkeepers and retailers but even to few individuals so, few have put their hands in the illegal sale of tobacco products thinking it is a lucrative business.
Following the rise in the sale of tobacco products all over the country, the Tobacco Control Committee, Thimphu, together with the Dzongkhag Administration Officials carried out a sudden raid under Paro Dzongkhag on the 15th August, 2009.
The Committee started their raids at Chuuzom, Bondey, Tshongdue, Geptay, Lango and Dotey. The committee seized tobacco products worth Nu. 26,355/-. The seized tobacco products includes Wills Cigarette, Baba Khaini, Biri Raja Khaini, Snuffs and Gopal Tobacco.
A total of 17 micro trade licenses were also collected from various shops in connection to the illegal sale of tobacco products.
The Committee than handed over the above products to the Regional Trade Office, Thimphu along with the licenses for cancellation.
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