Ensure a complete ban on smoking at hospitals for a 'Tobacco-free Kashmir': Officials

SRINAGAR:The authorities in Kashmir today directed health officials to ensure a complete ban on smoking at hospitals and other medical institutions to make them tobacco-free premises.

The Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir has directed all its subordinate offices including that of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Medical Superintendents of district and sub-district hospitals to ensure that hospitals and various other health institutions were made 'tobacco-free premises'.

The move is aimed at strengthening the public health measure at the district and sub-district level to achieve the status of 'Tobacco-free Kashmir'.

The order asks officials to identify nodal officer from health institutions, display 'tobacco-free premises' boards at the entrance of the boundary wall and 'no smoking' signages, along with the name and contact details of the nodal officer, at all prominent places.

The officials were also directed to ensure ban on the sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of all buildings or premises under the Health Department.