Ban matchboxes, lighters in metro trains: Delhi govt to CISF

The Delhi government has written to the CISF, asking it to prohibit passengers from carrying matchboxes and lighters in metro trains and on station premises as it "promotes smoking".
In its letter, the health department said the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) does not allow such items at airports and for the same obvious reasons these items should not be allowed in the DMRC premises as well.
The health department, last month, had issued a strict compliance notice to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in this regard.
The DMRC had in January taken lighters and matchboxes off the list of restricted items. A commuter is now allowed to carry one matchbox and one lighter in metro trains and on station premises.

"We have come to know that security to the DMRC is provided by the CISF as an independent government body under the Ministry of Home Affairs and these items (lighter and matchboxes) are allowed after the CISF security check of the commuters," Dr S K Arora, Additional Director (Health), Delhi said.
Arora in his letter sought an urgent action not only in public health interest to protect non-smokers from the hazards of the smoke but also in the interest of safety of commuters and staff as these fire-causing items may cause a big security risk any time in the present sensitive scenario.

"It is worth mentioning that when the CISF doesn't allow such items at airports then for the same obvious reasons these items should not be allowed in DMRC also," he said in the letter.
"Therefore, you are requested to look into the matter urgently in public health interest and also in the interest of safety of the commuters and staff in the DMRC," he said.
Earlier, a strict compliance notice was issued to the DMRC under Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, asking it to stop allowing matchboxes and lighters in metro trains and on station premises, or legal action would be initiated against it and the erring commuters.