Purnia is now the 17th smoke-free district in the state and 17th in the Purnia division under Tobacco Control Laws. District Magistrate, Rahul Kumar, has announced it via notice and said, “it is the historic and proud moment that Purnea has been declared smoke-free under Section 4 of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
Smoking is a punishable act in restricted and public places. The District Magistrate has appealed to the residents for not consuming tobacco and avoid smoking. Punitive actions will be taken against those who ignore the guidelines by the administration under section 4 of COTPA, 2003. The authorities may conduct intensive raids against the users.
In the notice, Mr. Kumar mentioned the severe effects of smoking on health. He asked the residents to co-operate in developing a healthy environment. “Every resident of the district should follow Tobacco Control Law and neither smoke at public places nor contribute towards it to protect the common people from harmful effects of smoking.
Earlier, Arwal, Gaya, Jamui, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Madhubani, Munger, Sitamarhi, and Supaul were also declared smoke-free districts.
Last year, Bihar health minister Magal Pandey had claimed that Bihar will soon become India’s first tobacco-free state. “We have to convince youngsters that consumption of tobacco is hazardous to health. We also need to implement the existing laws more strictly. Apart from police, we will also take help of education department in this regard,” he had said.