JK Declares Polling Stations as Smoke-Free Zones for Assembly Elections

JK Declares Polling Stations as Smoke-Free Zones for Assembly Elections

Ashiq Butt | September 15, 2024 | 09:58 AM IST | Elections 2024, Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

JK Declares Polling Stations as Smoke-Free Zones for Assembly Elections

JK Declares Polling Stations as Smoke-Free Zones for Assembly Elections

Key Highlights

• All polling stations in Jammu and Kashmir to be smoke-free for the 2024 Assembly Elections.
• Compliance with India’s Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA-2003) and WHO guidelines.
• District Election Officers instructed to enforce smoke-free regulations at polling booths.

Srinagar, Sept 14: Ahead of the Assembly Elections 2024, all polling stations in Jammu and Kashmir have been declared smoke-free zones. This directive was issued by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, following recommendations from the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, to create tobacco-free polling environments.

The move is in compliance with the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA-2003), which enforces smoke-free regulations across India, including Jammu and Kashmir.

The Government of India’s new rules, effective since May 30, 2008, seek to ensure smoke-free environments under Indian law.

Additionally, the decision aligns with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), which stresses the importance of protecting people from exposure to second-hand smoke.

The order mandates District Election Officers (DEOs) and Deputy Commissioners to strictly enforce the directive. They are also instructed to display ‘NO SMOKING AREA’ signage at the entrances of polling stations and ensure no tobacco use within the premises during election day.

The CEO’s office emphasized the need to shield the public, especially women and persons with disabilities (PwD) voters, from the dangers of passive smoking.

The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) also backed this initiative, noting the health benefits of a smoke-free polling environment.

Jammu and Kashmir had earlier set a precedent by implementing smoke-free polling booths during the Lok Sabha elections, becoming the first state in India to adopt such a policy.

This initiative is expected to promote a healthier environment for voters and contribute positively to the electoral process.

Ashiq Butt

Ashiq Butt – is VoM News's senior staffer worked since year 2015 and he deals with correspondency and social media handles. Hailing from Doda's Marmat, Ashiq has strong grip over the collection of the data and it's compiling feature.