Jammu, June 8: Unable to curb the smoking in government offices, the government has issued another circular directing administrative heads of all the departments to ensure implementation of anti-smoking law in their respective offices.
 Official sources said the General Administrative Department has issued another circular (No 9 -GAD OF 2010) asking the administrative heads, Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Heads of Departments, Deputy Commissioners and Managing Directors of Public Sector Undertaking to ensure strict implementation of Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, which prohibits smoking and use of other tobacco products at public places.
 The administrative heads have been asked to take action against the officials found smoking in the office premises.
 Section 4 of the Act provides that no person shall smoke in a public place. In terms of Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008, Public Place would mean Auditoriums, Hospital Buildings, Railway meeting rooms, Amusement Centers, Restaurants, Hotels, Public Offices, Court buildings, Educational Institutions, Libraries, Public conveyances, Work Places, Shopping malls, Cinema Halls and Airports where smoking is completely banned.
 The state government, vide its Cabinet Decision No:92/10 dated 24-04- 1997, has banned smoking in all Government offices of the State. The instructions on the enforcement of the ban in Government offices were reiterated vide Circular No.02-GAD of 2005 dated 1 4-0 1-2005; and vide SRO-394 dated the December 3, 2008, the powers were delegated to officers to compound the offence committed under Section 4 of the Act.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 8 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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