Khulna, June 1, 2025 (BSS) - A mobile court here fined Tk 30,000 and seized tobacco-related promotional materials during an anti-tobacco drive conducted on Saturday afternoon.

The operation was led by Executive Magistrates Anwar Sadat and Rizwanur Rashid from the Khulna district administration. 

It was carried out at the local depot of Japan Tobacco International (JTI), located near Haji Mohammad Mohsin College in the Khalishpur area, under the initiative of the District Tobacco Control Task Force Committee.

During the raid, officials discovered a large stockpile of illegal advertising and promotional materials related to tobacco products. Upon investigation, the company admitted to violating existing tobacco control laws.

As a result, a fine of Tk 30,000 was imposed under Section 5(1)(b) of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005, along with its 2013 amendment.

The confiscated materials included 726 matchboxes, 175 sunglasses, 350 cigarette covers, 88 gas lighters, 65 gift boxes, 5 t-shirts, and 200 leaflets and blank cigarette packets. 

These items were being illegally stored for the purpose of promoting tobacco products, in clear violation of public health regulations.

Following the seizure, all the materials were destroyed with the assistance of the Fire Service at Jailkhana Ghat.

Officials from the Department of Narcotics Control in Khulna emphasized that this drive is part of the government's broader efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and realize the vision of a tobacco-free Bangladesh.