District Magistrate’s Directive Enforces Strict Ban Ahead of Khelo India 2025
Baramulla, Feb 2025 – In a significant move to promote public health and environmental cleanliness, the District Magistrate of Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, has officially declared Gulmarg and Tangmarg as "Tobacco-Free Zones." The directive, issued under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and Section 270 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), strictly prohibits smoking and spitting of tobacco in public places across these regions.
The decision aligns with the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan and aims to create a safer and healthier environment, particularly as Gulmarg prepares to host Khelo India Winter Games 2025. Authorities emphasize that tobacco consumption not only poses severe health risks, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory ailments, but also contributes to the spread of infectious diseases like tuberculosis.
To ensure compliance, the administration has tasked key officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Chief Executive Officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gulmarg, and the Chief Medical Officer, with strict enforcement of the ban. Violators will face legal action, as per the provisions of COTPA and BNS.
The initiative is expected to make Gulmarg and Tangmarg cleaner and more welcoming for residents and tourists, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a tobacco-free, healthier Kashmir.
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Health