President, WBA appeals Bus drivers not to smoke in Kashmir

 Anti tobacco squad realises fine of Rs 2650

       Srinagar, December 24 (Scoop News) – Anti tobacco squad raided SKIMS Soura, SMHS Hospital, Govt. Dental College and JLNM Hospital Rainawari and fined 17 persons smoking in public and recovered Rs 2650 from the offenders. The team was headed by Shabir Ahmed Lone, Food Safety Officer and comprised of Owais Ahmed, Health Educator and Ghulam Hassan from Tobacco Control Cell Srinagar. The team was assisted by AK Wani, Senior Programme Manager J&K Voluntary Health Association (JKVHA) alongwith Balbir Singh, Mohammed Illiyas and Police personnel. Anti tobacco signages were put up by volunteers of JKVHA. The smokers were counselled to give up smoking and desist from smoking in public places, as it has been prohibited by Government.

Meantime, President of Western Bus Association (WBA) in a statement has appealed the bus drivers, conductors and passengers not to smoke in passenger buses, as it has been prohibited by Govt. He has extended his full cooperation to the administration to enforce a ban on smoking in public conveyances. The President issued the press statement in response to the directions given by Div Com when a complaint was received against the driver of Bus No: JK01- 1365, who had allegedly, misbehaved with one elderly passenger, when the passenger objected to his smoking, in his bus. The President of the Bus Association has appealed the passengers to lodge complaints against any driver/conductor found smoking. The general public has appreciated the anti tobacco drive and urged that it should become a regular feature so that all public places are made free from smoke.

 www.scoopnews.in