Shimla declared smoking-free city

Popular hill resort Shimla, once the summer capital of British India known for imported cigarettes and cigars, has been declared "smoking-free city". 

Making the announcement at the state level Gandhi Jayanti function at the Ridge here, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal
said that Shimla would be the fourth city after Kottayam in Kerala, Chandigarh and Sikkim to be declared smoking-free".

"All district headquarters would be made smoking-free by the end of May next year and a sustain campaign would be launched against drugs, liquor and smoking", he added.

He said smoking in public places and sale of tobacco product had been banned within 100 yards radius of all educational institutions and selling tobacco or tobacco products to minors and direct or indirect advertisement of tobacco had been made an offence.

The chief minister also announced setting up of de-addiction centres at all district hospitals where five beds would be reserved for patients for de-addiction. 

This facility is now available only in government medical colleges at Shimla and Tanda.

Reiterating government’s commitment to save the society, especially the youth, from all types of addictions, Dhumal said that in addition to strict legal provisions to curb drug addiction, overwhelming support of the society was imperative. 

"An international agency in South East Asia had conducted a survey of Shimla town in May this year and found that 97% area of the town was smoking-free, warning hoardings were erected at 80% of public areas and no signs of cigarettes were detected in 94% of the area of the town," the chief minister said, adding over 4,000 persons had been challaned for smoking in prohibited areas and Rs8 lakh collected as fine from offenders.