Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority will now check whether a person importing tobacco or tobacco products for personal consumption have paid taxes. The authority says a person will have to show receipt of taxes and duties paid, during their inspection.
The move comes after the recent inspection carried out by the BNCA found most of the offenders were young people.
BNCA’s Deputy Chief and Program Officer, Dorji Tshering said because of the finding, they are seriously thinking of ensuring that people are now legally smoking by checking the receipt.
As per the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act of Bhutan 2014, a person possessing tobacco and tobacco products for personal consumption will have to provide proof of tax and duty payments on inspection.
A person caught smoking without a receipt will be fined double the value of tobacco or tobacco products if the person possesses tobacco or tobacco products within the permissible quantity.
The permissible quantity for import of tobacco or tobacco products per month is 800 sticks of cigarettes or 1200 sticks of bidi, 150 pieces of cigar or 750 grams of other tobacco or tobacco products.
On the other hand, those caught smoking in public areas, without paying the tax, will be fined Nu 10,000 each. Those who have paid the tax but are caught smoking in public areas will be fined Nu 500 each.
Dorji Tshering also said every owner of a restaurant, bars, or organization must ensure that nobody smokes in their premises.
The Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act says the person-in-charge of a hotel, guesthouse, restaurants, among others, shall arrange smoking rooms as appropriate.
If a person is found smoking in a non-designated area, the person in charge or the proprietor of that place will be fined Nu 10,000.
In the past two weeks alone, BNCA have fined 81 individuals and 21 people in charge, collecting a fine Nu 250,000.
Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority said they have also started inspection in Paro, from last week.
There are plans to conduct similar inspections in other dzongkhags as well.
