Chandigarh to ban sale of loose cigarettes

The Chandigarh administration will soon ban the sale of loose cigarettes and other tobacco products in the union territory, an official spokesman said here Tuesday.

"Sale of loose cigarettes and loose tobacco products is going to be prohibited in Chandigarh soon. This was discussed and decided at a meeting of Chandigarh Tobacco Control Cell," the spokesman said.

The administration decided to ensure effective enforcement and sensitization of people regarding smoking.

NGO Burning Brain Society chairman Hemant Goswami raised the point of smoking areas in hotels and restaurants to which the administration assured that these premises would be checked regularly to ensure that all norms on smoking were being followed.

Smoking is banned in public areas of the union territory, making it a smoke free city.