Union health secretary Preeti Sudan cites the example of Nirman Bhawan asking states to turn their own offices smoke-free
Citing its own decision last year when it decided to make its own building smoke free, Union health ministry has written to states asking them to make government buildings and departments smokeless.
In a letter to state chief secretaries, health secretary Preeti Sudan has written: “…it would be appropriate that all buildings/offices under your ministry/department are made tobacco free in order to protect public health. We would be happy to extend any technical support in this regard.” Along with the letter, the ministry has also attached its own letter from last year making Nirman Bhawan that houses the Union health ministry, smoke free.
The Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), enacted in 2003 and applicable to the entire country, was mainly to discourage the consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products by imposing progressive restrictions and public to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke. The implementation of COTPA is best done when the system/mechanism is institutionalized.
Section (4) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act COTPA 2003 prohibits smoking in all public places. ‘Public Place’ is defined as any place to which the public has access whether as of right or not and includes all places visited by general public namely auditorium, hospital building, railway waiting room, amusement centers, public offices, court buildings, educational institutions, libraries, coffee houses, canteens, banks, clubs and also open spaces surrounding hotels/restaurants etc.
Sudan also writes in her letter: “Thus, in the interest of public health and with a view to keep the building clean, contributing towards the “swochh Bharat Swasth Bharat” campaign’ the initiaiive was taken. As such smoking and spitting of tobacco in the premise of Nirman Bhawan is prohibited and is a punishable offence A copy of the Circular for Tobacco Free Nirman Bhawan along with the Guidelines for implementation of the “Tobacco Free Zone” policy is enclosed”
