The Goa government, on Thursday issued directives to all eating premises and establishments in the state not to keep, sell or provide any tobacco or tobacco products in their premises.

These products include cigars, cigarettes, biddies, gutka and hukkah. The directive further warns of severe action if establishments fail to comply with the order.

The order comes after the land mark judgement delivered by the Bombay high court in a public interest litigiation, wherein the HC directed all municipal corporations in Maharashtra to ensure that tobacco products in the form of hukkah are not permitted at eating places in the state.

The state government has also directed all departments and agencies involved in issuing licences to such establishments to incorporate specific conditions such that the establishments shall not keep, sell or provide any tobacco or tobacco related products in any form.

The government has also directed the police department to conduct special surveillance drives especially at night and book offenders under the law.