Starting from today, the state tobacco department will keep a close watch on tobacco consumption in public areas, and if any police officer, traffic personnel, educationist or even a health officer is found smoking in a non-smoking zone, the department can impose a fine of up to Rs 500 on them.
In a month-long drive, the Delhi tobacco department will be focusing on the four departments — health, education, police and transport.
Since 2008, the department under Delhi government has collected around Rs 59 lakh by issuing challans to the violators.
“Our aim is to sensitise the officials and spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. The major focus is on four departments — health, education, police and transport. The month-long activities will continue till June 16,” Dr S.K. Arora, additional director, state tobacco control officer, Directorate of Health Services (DHS) told INNLIVE.
There are 11 districts in Delhi and from each district, officials and nodal officers have been identified.
According to the officials, the department will have regular meetings with the officers to ensure there are no violations.
“We have a special scheme for the commuters travelling in DTC buses too. If they found the bus conductor or driver smoking inside the bus, they can register a complaint on our helpline, with giving details about the route. We will immediately act on the complaint and impose a fine on them,” said Dr Arora.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills nearly six million people each year. More than five million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while more than 600,000 are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.
Unless urgent action is taken, the annual death toll could rise to more than eight million by 2030.
Every year, on May 31, WHO and partners mark ‘World No Tobacco Day’, highlighting the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
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