Govt bans smoking in public transport, bus stands

RTO to initiate vigorous ‘anti-tobacco’ campaign

SRINAGAR: Government has decided to act tough against smokers as officials of the transport department have been asked to effectively implement tobacco control laws in public transport buses and bus stands across the state.

Officials of the state Transport Department have directed the subordinate staff to take necessary steps for making public places like bus stands, commercial vehicles and all public conveyances including Transport offices as ‘No Smoking Areas and Zones’.

“All officials are directed to implement Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) in the department and to strictly enforce anti-tobacco laws in the public transport system of the state,” the order issued by the department said.

Pertinently, officials have been authorized under COTPA to fine smokers in public conveyances.

“The violations can attract a fine of up to Rs 200. Besides, ‘No Smoking’ signages of 60x30cm should be displayed in all public vehicles at a prominent place, as mandated by section-4 of the Act,” the order further said.

Similarly, directions have also been issued to ensure that there are no direct and indirect advertisements, sponsorship of tobacco products on public conveyances, as mandated by sec-5 of COTPA, the order said.

According to a study, 26.6% population in Jammu & Kashmir is using tobacco product in one or the other of its forms. The state has 12% cigarette smokers, 3.8% bidi smokers and 8.0% smokeless tobacco users. J&K’s cigarette use prevalence (12%) is almost double the nationwide prevalence of 5.7%. It has come to light that the highest proportion of adults (67.9%) exposed to tobacco smoke in offices are in J&K and the lowest (15.4%) are in Chandigarh.

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