U'khand Health Minister considers anti-smoking law in state

Dehra Dun, Oct 1 (UNI) After the anti-smoking notification by Union Health Minister Abumani Ramadoss, its the turn of Uttarakhand Health Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal to go the ''healthy way'' by hinting that the state could enact a no-smoking law.

Stating that 'banning the butt' at public places would help in the long run to discourage tobacco and cigarette consumption, Mr Pokhriyal said this could prove effective only when the masses were duly informed about its ill-effects on health.

'' Apart from bringing in a law to ban tobacco and cigarette smoking in public places, it is important to educate the people about its ill-effects on their health and that is where the government takes up the responsibility'', he told UNI.

He said door-to-door campaigns were being intitated to make people aware about the harmful effects of tobacco and cigarettes.

Stating that Uttarakhand could enact a law to ban smoking at public places soon, he informed that it was already in place in the hill resort of Mussorie.

He said CCTV cameras had been installed at all public places in Mussorie and anyone found violating the ban would be fined Rs 100.

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