Shops indulging in illegal sale of banned tobacco products in Tiruppur district are being monitored and sealed for bringing about a deterrent effect, according to officials.The checks by government authorities are three-pronged: by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, local body, and the Police Department.During August, 77 shops were sealed and a fine of ₹6,00,000 was imposed. During the month, 288.21 kg of ganja and 1,217 narcotic pills were seized and 105 drug-peddlers were arrested. For the offence of selling banned tobacco products, 176 people were arrested and 1,216 kg in their possession were seized.For first and second-time offences, the shops are closed for 15 days and one month respectively, and the fines amount to ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 respectively. The shops are required to renew the licences after the closure duration.Third-time offence attracts punishment of three-months closure and ₹1 lakh fine. The erring shops will have to go through the procedure of applying for fresh licence, Designated Officer for Food Safety and Drug Administration, Tiruppur District, Senthilkumar said.Sellers of banned tobacco are mostly known to indulge in transactions in transit. There have also been instances of banned tobacco being sold through groceries due to ignorance of the traders, it is learnt.Since the banned tobacco has ready buyers among the labourers from parts of North India where consumption of the product is common, the traders, out of ignorance, make procurements from the suppliers. They realise their folly only when they face the punishment, according to the officials.Also, the banned tobacco products are brought in from Karnataka through vehicles transporting vegetables and fruits, making them difficult to detect. Published - September 05, 2026 07:56 pm IST