Govt declares Gulmarg, Tangmarg as Tobacco-Free Ahead of Khelo India 2025

Govt declares Gulmarg, Tangmarg as Tobacco-Free Ahead of Khelo India 2025

Aadil Abdullah

Srinagar, Feb 16 (JKNS): Ahead of Khelo India Winter Games 2025, Government on Sunday declared Gulamrg and Tangmarg as tobacco-free zones.

As per an official order issued by District development commissioner Baramulla a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS states that the Gulmarg and Tangmarg has been declared as Tabacoo freee.

Official order as per JKNS reads, Whereas, the harmful effects of tobacco use are well established and accepted globally. The use of tobacco is a prominent risk factor for 6 to 8 leading causes of death and almost 40% of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) including cancers, cardio-vascular diseases and lung disorders are attributable to tobacco use; and

Whereas the Central Government has enacted the Cigarettes and other Tobacco products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulations of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) in 2003, to protect the youth and the masses from adverse harmful effects of tobacco use and Second-Hand Smoking; and Whereas COTPA envisages protection of non-user from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke, which specifically finds mention in Section 4 of the Act that prohibits smoking in public place which includes all public offices, Public Places workplaces, canteen etc.

Order reads, Whereas spitting of tobacco etc., leads to spread of swine flu, tuberculosis, and pneumonia and gastro-intestinal diseases. TB Bacilli can survive in spit for an entire day which causes health problems to the public or nuisance to the people in general; and Whereas Section 270 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) stipulates that a person is guilty of a public nuisance who does any act or is guilty of an illegal omission which causes any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity, or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger or annoyance to persons who may have occasion to use any public right, it reads.

In view of above and in the interest of public health/ Khelo India at Gulmarg 2025 and with a view to keep entire Gulamrg and Tangmarg clean during the event, thus contributing towards Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, the entire Gulamrg and Tangmarg area is declared as “Tobacco Free Zone/ Smoke Free Tourist Areas”. As such smoking and spitting of tobacco in the entire Gulamrg and Tangmarg areas are prohibited and is a punishable offence, order reads.

The Sr. Superintendent of Police, Baramulla Chief Executive Officer GDA, Gulmarg, Sub Divisional Magistrate Gulmarg and Chief Medical Officer alongwith local administration shall ensure strict implementation, reads the order. (JKNS)