Smoking ban in public places

The Orissa government today notified the implementation of the ‘prohibition of smoking in public places’ rules , 2008, banning smoking in public places. The state health and family welfare department today issued a notification to this effect.

According to the notification the public place will include auditorium, amusement centres, bus stand, cinema halls, court building, educational institutions, hospital buildings, hotels, library, public conveyance, railway stations, shopping malls and the work places among others.

According to a senior official of the health and family welfare department, the government has already formed a task force- state level monitoring committee under the chairmanship of the secretary, health and family welfare department to effectively implementing the new law.

Every police sub-inspector and officers above him has been authorised to oversee the implementation of the new rule.

Similarly, drug inspectors have also been authorised to take action against the people violating the law. Besides, the principals of colleges and head of offices can also supervise the implementation of the law in their respective institutions.

Law permits setting up of separate smoking zones in hotels having more than 30 rooms, restaurants having sitting capacity of more than 30 and in airports.

However, the airport authorities have to ensure that there is no leakage of smoke from the identified zone.