Hyderabad: Chief Secretary SK Joshi today instructed the officials concerned to take steps for smoking free Telangana by setting up “No Smoking Zones” at public places in the State.
Chairing a meeting at Secretariat on COTPA 2003 (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco products Act 2003), Joshi asked the officials to put up signage boards at all public places against the smoking and take stern action if any violations are found. No smoking zones should be identified at all public places like at auditoriums, schools, educational institutions, hotels, bus stations, railway stations, cinema theatres, shopping malls, tourist places, parks and others, he said.
“Our aim is to turn Telangana into a smoking-free State”, he said. The chief secretary also asked the officials to set up district coordination committees and form enforcement teams for the purpose. He also told them to focus on bus stands and tourist spots besides taking steps to introduce in school curriculum about the injurious effects of smoking. Joshi asked the officials to keep an eye on sale of banned tobacco products and coordinate with other departments. The officials discussed on procedures adopted in other States against smoking in public places. (NSS)
