news details |
|
|
| Ban on smoking observed in breach | | | S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 18: Despite ban on smoking at public places especially hospitals, there are dozens of the government departments especially health institutions in Kashmir valley, where smoking has not stopped.
"Once the order on prohibition of smoking was issued, people in general had welcomed the step, but the ban has been observed more in breach", said sources.
They said that earlier the ban was implemented as part of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (prohibition of advertisements and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act 2003 that was passed by Parliament in April 2003.
However the state government vide order no (466/HME of 2008) has prohibited smoking in public places, direct or indirect advertising of cigarettes or other tobacco products and their sale to persons below age of 18 years.
Nazir Ahmad of Soura Srinagar said that on daily basis I witness at the Soura junction, there is no one who would have restrict the smokers while entering the main gate, for the same purpose the government had empowered the food inspectors of Drug and Food Control department so that they can take action against the offenders in their respective area of jurisdiction.
He said that as a layman he believes that the Act says the smoking has been prohibited in restaurants, shopping malls, public/private work places, hotels, hospitals, canteen, coffee house, airport lounge and parks, but today we witness that there is no space or department left out where smoking is not happening.
One of the health officials while talking to early times said that we cannot stop people from smoking but it creates problems for others when it is smoked inside the institution, but making the ban successful, we need the support of people.
Basically all the departments need to spread awareness about the consequences of smoking especially when they smoke cigarettes at public places or inside the government institutions, as we have seen hospitals should have been made "smoke free zone", and if the sign boards are somewhere, but there is no complete ban on it, the official said. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
