- विज्ञापन -
Srinagar: Gulmarg, a popular ski resort, and Tangmarg, a tourism hotspot in Jammu and Kashmir, have been announced as tobacco-free zones. This decision comes in anticipation of the ‘Khelo India Winter Games 2025’ set to take place in Gulmarg.
The District Magistrate of Baramulla issued an order highlighting that tobacco use significantly contributes to various health issues, accounting for a large portion of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and lung disorders. The order references the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003, which aims to regulate tobacco sales and protect the public, especially the youth, from the harmful effects of tobacco and secondhand smoke.
COTPA mandates that non-smokers be shielded from involuntary tobacco smoke, prohibiting smoking in public areas, including workplaces and canteens. It also mentions the health risks associated with tobacco spitting, which can transmit diseases like swine flu, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
To ensure public health during the Khelo India events and maintain cleanliness in both Gulmarg and Tangmarg, the areas have been designated as smoke-free. Consequently, smoking and tobacco spitting are banned, and violations of this order could result in punishment.
