Dimapur, March 1 (EMN): The Kohima district administration has banned smoking in all public places including ‘police stations, public transport, prisons and jails’ for the sake of public health, the DIPR reported on Friday.
It cited an order from the deputy commissioner of Kohima in which the DC was stated to have observed that “indiscriminate smoking” takes place in police stations and various means of public conveyance, which is a clear violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003.
The DC has directed both the department of transport and police to comply with the law by installing prohibitive signage and warning messages in all public places under their jurisdiction, it reported.
‘Yellow Line’ launched for tobacco-free zone
In a bid to curb the increasing consumption of tobacco among the students, the Nagaland Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) Dimapur in collaboration with the Diphupar Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) launched “Yellow Line” tobacco free campaign on Friday along with Dr. C Tetseo, the district nodal officer NTCP.
Tetseo stated that the objective of the campaign was to strengthen tobacco-free institutional norms and create more awareness among students, staff, and visitors. He reminded that Nagaland has been declared as the highest consumer of smokeless tobacco in the Northeast region.
The president of the DNSU, N Pitovi Achumi congratulated those institutions within its jurisdiction that have beeb declared tobacco-free zone; and encouraged other institutions to follow suit.
The DNSU warned those business establishments or shops, falling within the yellow line (or within 100 metres), to immediately stop selling tobacco products. He added that those found guilty will be penalised, according to a press release.
