The Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated a campaign to curb public smoking in Srinagar by imposing fines on violators. This move aims to address the alarming rise in smoking in the region.
The anti-smoking drive, spearheaded by the Kothi Bagh Police Station, focused on commercial hubs around Lal Chowk, including areas like the Clock Tower, MA Road, TRC Srinagar, and Pratap Park.
Station House Officer (SHO) Kothi Bagh, Manzoor Ahmad, said the initiative falls under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, which prohibits smoking in public places.
He explained, “We are conducting this drive to inform the public about COPTA and to penalise those violating the law.”
Fines were set at ₹200, with ₹100 collected from individuals unable to afford the full amount.
Ahmad emphasised that the campaign primarily aims to raise awareness about the law, as many locals and tourists are either unaware of the prohibition or wilfully ignore it.
The drive received positive feedback from locals. Abdul Rashid Baba, a 55-year-old resident, said, “This is a great initiative. Smokers don’t care about others' health and smoke in shops, malls, and roads, harming others and the environment.”
Zakir Ahmad, a 29-year-old smoker, admitted his lack of knowledge about the law.
While welcoming the move, he suggested, “There should be more awareness campaigns about this law so people understand the rules better.
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