Smokers beware: Charminar is now a ‘no smoking’ zone

The monument which once inspired a brand of cigarettes with the same name is on its way to becoming a ‘No Smoking’ area.

The local police, as part of its initiative has taken steps to stop smoking in public places have put up ‘No Smoking’ boards around the historic monument, however not only the Charminar, the police has put up such boards in spots around Charminar.

The signs reads ‘No Smoking area,’ ‘Smoking is an offence here’ and ‘Smoking is injurious to health,’ on various establishments and barricades in the area.

Recently, a two-day workshop was organised by the Hyderabad city Police for capacity building of police officials under ‘Mission Smoke Free Hyderabad’. The mission is supported by the Department of Health and Family as reported by Telangana Daily

“We set up the posters and boards in connection with World No Tobacco Day and the call from the Police Commissioner to make Hyderabad a smoke free city,” said the B Anjaiah, ACP Charminar.

The officials said that the ban on public smoking would be strictly implemented with offenders being punished. According to the present anti-smoking law in India, smoking in public places was banned all over the country from October 2 2008 however, the provisions are rarely followed.

“Prohibition on smoking in public places has been imposed in the city since a long time and awareness is also being sought. Anyone violating the law will be prosecuted, and the boards would continue to be displayed in the area while continuous awareness programmes too would be taken up throughout the year” Anjaiah said.