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Chandigarh set to become smoke-free

Special Correspondent

To become effective from July 15

CHANDIGARH: From July 15, Chandigarh Union Territory, which is also the State Capital of Haryana and Punjab, is all set to become smoke-free.

The UT Home Secretary, Krishna Mohan, said here on Friday that smoking in public places and public conveyances would be banned. He asserted that Chandigarh was the first Union Territory in the country to implement ban on smoking.

The Chandigarh Administration would also launch an awareness campaign about the harms of smoking, he added while seeking public support.

Mr. Mohan disclosed that as per Section 4 of “Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act 2003”, it is a penal offence to smoke at any public place in Chandigarh, (including smoke-free areas of hotels/restaurants/ bars/public areas) and public conveyances. All police officials of the rank sub-inspector and above, food/drug inspectors and all officials notified by the Chandigarh Administration have the power to take action against anyone found smoking in public.

He further clarified that public area means any place to which the public have access, whether as a right or not. A person may smoke in open spaces not visited by public, for example, lawn area outside homes, road kerbs away from the markets or open space outside any public area.

Also, throwing cigarette butts in open would be considered a violation and anyone doing so is liable to be fined. Anyone spitting in any public area would also be penalized, he asserted.

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Chandigarh set to become smoke-free

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