Ensure no smoking at public places

While the world observed No Tobacco Day, the health experts here have called for a blanket ban on the tobacco products in Kashmir as the study has revealed the number of people consuming tobacco in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 32 percent male and one percent female. Amid the rise in the number of people consuming tobacco products, it is being observed that the smoking at public places usually goes unchecked as only a few out of many have been fined for their involvement in smoking at public places, which is illegal as per the norms set by the government. As far as the NHFS-5 data is concerned, tobacco products mostly used by men are cigarettes (27%), bidis (4%), hookah and cigars or pipe (2% each). Among women and men, the use of any form of tobacco is slightly higher in rural areas (1.4% for women and 35% for men) than in urban areas (0.7% for women and 24% for men). Over one-third (35%) of men who smoke cigarettes smoked 5 to 9 cigarettes in the past 24 hours. The figures revealed in the data is a cause of concern for one and all as the tobacco products deteriorate the health of the people and thus puts the responsibility on the government to take measures in this regard and impose complete ban on the tobacco products in Jammu & Kashmir. Moreover, immediate steps are needed to put an end to smoking at public places as it also affects the health of those who are present at the place. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of others, there is a need to ensure that the smoking at public places is dealt with strictly so that the non-smokers could heave a sigh of relief.