Pimpri Chinchwad Police Double Anti-Tobacco Crackdown on Citizen Tips, Demolish Repeat Offending Kiosks
The Pimpri Chinchwad police have nearly doubled their enforcement drives against illegal pan kiosks and banned tobacco sales this year, acting on specific tips and complaints received directly from local residents. The city police registered 1,225 cases under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in 2026, marking an 88.5 per cent jump from the 650 cases recorded during the same period in 2025.
The crackdown follows growing public concern over the widespread availability of prohibited products, including gutkha, scented pan masala, and flavoured tobacco across the industrial township. Local authorities shifted to a zero-tolerance policy after public complaints highlighted widespread violations near educational institutes and residential clusters.
As part of the intensified drive, law enforcement agencies booked 1,182 individual violators in 2026, representing an 84.4 per cent increase compared to 641 offenders booked in the previous year. The action targeted both small-scale vendors operating unauthorized kiosks and larger networks involved in the stocking and distribution of banned tobacco substances.
Beyond issuing monetary fines and filing formal cases, the police administration has expanded enforcement to include physical removal of illicit structures. Kiosks found repeatedly violating COTPA regulations or operating without valid civic permits are being systematically targeted for demolition.
Police officials said the surge in enforcement reflects a structural shift toward community-led policing, where citizen inputs are processed directly into targeted drives. The administration noted that dismantling repeat offender setups aims to prevent unauthorized vendors from resuming illegal sales shortly after paying routine fines.
Senior officers confirmed that drive operations will continue across all police station jurisdictions within Pimpri Chinchwad. The department plans to maintain strict surveillance on public smoking violations and illegal sale networks, while coordinating with civic authorities for prompt removal of unauthorized roadside kiosks.
