Gulmarg, Tangmarg declared tobacco-free tourist spots

The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Sunday declared the famous ski resort of Gulmarg and the tourist destination of Tangmarg as tobacco-free zones/smoke-free tourist spots. An order issued by the Baramulla District Magistrate said almost 40 per cent of the non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and lung disorders, are attributable to tobacco use.

The Central government has enacted the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA)-2003, which prohibits the advertisement and regulations of trade and commerce production, supply and distribution to protect the youth and the masses from adverse harmful effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoking.

COTPA envisages the protection of non-users from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke, which specifically finds the mention in Section 4 of the Act that prohibits smoking in public places, including all public offices, public workplaces, canteens, etc., the order said.

“Spitting of tobacco, etc., leads to swine flu, tuberculosis, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disease. TB bacilli can survive in spit for an entire day which causes health problems to the public or nuisance to people in general,” it said. “As such smoking and spitting of tobacco in the entire Gulmarg and Tangmarg areas are prohibited and is a punishable office,” the order said.