Pathanamthitta, July 26, 2013: Public places in Pathanamthitta will become smoking-free with the strong resolve taken by the district administration to implement the ban order on smoking in public places in letter and spirit.

District Collector Pranab Jyotinath directed the district police authority as well as the district health authority to strictly enforce the Cigarettes and Tobacco Products Act. The Collector fixed a sign board at the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus station here on Thursday as part of an intensive anti-tobacco campaign.

All products

Indian Tobacco Control Act strictly prohibits smoking at public places and the Act is applicable to all products containing tobacco in any form that include cigarettes, cigars, bidis, gutka, pan masala, and snuff, Mr. Jyotinath said.

According to him, a ‘public place’ means any place to which the public have access such as hospital buildings, railway waiting room, amusement centres, restaurants, public offices, court buildings, educational institutions, libraries, public conveyances, and the like.

The Collector said the ban would apply to certain open spaces such as auditorium, stadium, railway station, bus stops, and such other places.

An offence is punishable with a fine up to Rs.200 and is compoundable.

Mr. Jyotinath said the ongoing campaign was part of an initiative to make Pathanamthitta tobacco-free to the maximum possible extent.

The Tobacco Control Programme is being implemented in close co-ordination of the departments of Police, Health, and Education. A tobacco-free Pathanamthitta would surely be a great relief to the scores of Ayyappa devotees coming from different parts of the country to Sabarimala, he said.

Source: The Hindu, July 26, 2013