Srinagar: Despite the ban of J&K government on cigarette smoking in public places in Srinagar city, Drugs and food control organization has failed to implement this act as there seems to be no impact on the ground level.
On Thursday people at different public places in Srinagar city were violating this act openly as other citizens were facing inconvenience.
The locals complained that people are defying the smoking ban easily in public places and authorities are acting mute spectators on the issue.
In the year 2008 By virtue of the Act, the state government vide order no (466/HME of 2008) has prohibited smoking in public places, direct or indirect advertising of cigarettes or other tobacco products and their sale to persons below age of 18 years.
A group of people outside SMHS hospital told JKNS that despite government ban on cigarettes some people are seen smoking in the premises of hospital but hardly anyone takes action.
They said, there is hardly any place whether the ban has been implemented.
According to the Act, smoking has been prohibited in restaurants, shopping malls, public/private work places, hotels, hospitals, banquet halls, canteen and public parks.
The locals appealed concerned authorities to look into the issue, so that people could get sigh of relief in the public places. (JKNS)
