Anti-smoking law comes into force on Aug 7

The much-awaited Tobacco Control and Regulation Act, 2068 is coming into force on August 7.

This Act prohibits smoking and sale and distribution of tobacco-related products at public places and slaps a fine from Rs. 100 to Rs. 100,000 on the offenders.

For the purpose of this Act, public places include the government bodies, offices, corporations, educational institutions, libraries, airports, public lavatories, cinema halls, cultural centres, hotels, restaurants and eateries, student hostels, stadiums, public transport vehicles and waiting stands.

The Legislature-Parliament had passed this Act on April 11, 2011 and the President certified it on April 29.

According to statistics, 44 people are losing lives daily in the country due to diseases related to smoking and tobacco consumption and the State has to spend Rs. 16 billion annually for treatment of patients suffering from these diseases.

The Act also prohibits advertising tobacco products and sponsoring of programmes by tobacco companies in the media. If anyone is found to be issuing advertisements and broadcasting promotional messages in the media, the Act has provisions for imposing fine of up to Rs. 100,000 for that offence.

Similarly, as per this Act, cigarettes and tobacco products cannot be sold to people below 18 years of age and pregnant women.

In this connection, Speaker Subas Nembang today launched a programme organised to raise awareness and provide information about the Act. The programme is organised by the Primary Health Service Resource Centre.

The objective of this awareness-raising programme is to conduct public awareness campaigns in 52 different districts to create public pressure for the effective implementation of the Act and to ensure the people’s right to health.