Kupwara/Srinagar, February 04 (Scoop News) –Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Mohammed Shafi Rather has intensified the drive against smoking in public places in Kupwara district. A fine of Rs 30,350 has been imposed in Kupwara tehsil, Rs 3750 in Kralpora and Rs 1450 in Langate. The people have been warned to desit from smoking in public places.
Executive Director, J&K Voluntary Health Association A.M.Mir has appreciated the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon and Deputy Commissioner Kupwara for the initiatives taken and hoped that other DCs follow suit so that their Districts can be declared smoke free as has been done for Budgam.
Meanwhile, in an order having International significance, the Iraqi Parliament approved an anti-smoking law that stipulates a fine of $8.50 for smoking in public, in a country where such smoking is a fixture.
“The law aims to protect citizens from the danger of tobacco and reduce the number of smokers by taking measures to combat this plague," the law reads.
Smoking in Government offices, schools, universities, hospitals, airports, Offices, theatres, gathering places, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, markets and petrol stations will now be banned in Iraq. The law will, however, take effect 90 days after it is published in the official gazette.