Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) collected around Nu 1.8 M in the last two years as fines for non-compliance to the Tobacco Control Policy.
Among them, the highest fines were collected from shopkeepers for illegal possession of tobacco products. About 563 shops across the country were penalized by BNCA in the last 2 years.
Along with shopkeepers fined for illegal possession of tobacco products, restaurants and smokers in public places also top the list. BNCA carries out inspections jointly with law enforcement agencies randomly as well as based on complaints. For people caught smoking in public spaces, a person is liable to a Nu 500 fine. And for illegal possession of tobacco products beyond the permissible quantity, the offender is fined based on the amount.
The Deputy Chief Program Officer of BNCA says the public can play a crucial role in effective implementation of the tobacco control policy.
“Public can help law enforcement officers to implement the tobacco control policy in a very effective way by informing the law enforcement officials as and when they see those things. We would like to tell that any information that leads to the seizure of those substances will be suitably rewarded. The confidentiality of the informer will be strictly maintained.” said Chhimi Dorji, the Dy. Chief Program Officer for BNCA.
The fines for not complying with the law can be imposed by the authorized member officials of BNCA.
“We have been trying our best to advocate and tell people that it’s very important for people to know that tobacco control is being very controversial in the sense the law allows people to possess tobacco legally on a personal quantity basis. Because of that, we need public support as we all know both the restriction and intervention has become more multi-facilitated over time,” he added.
The highest amount collected by BNCA as fine was more than 240,000 ngultrum in June last year. A total of more than 1.2 million ngultrum was collected as fines in 2018 alone.
Kinzang Lhadon
