Set up anti-tobacco body by year-end

The Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the central government to expedite the setting up of the proposed regulatory authority for implementation of the anti-tobacco norms by December 31, 2011.

The state informed the HC that all civic bodies in Maharashtra have been asked to incorporate provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition) Act in the licence agreements of restaurants eating joints which ban sale of tobacco and related products.

The court was hearing a PIL challenging the circular issued by the BMC banning of the sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products. like cigarettes and hookahs.

Disposing of the petition, the judges directed magistrates to decide cases within two months after prosecution is launched.