Shimla declared smoke-free city

SHIMLA - Shimla was officially declared a smoke-free city Saturday, with the Queen of Hills having rid itself of the puff in public places.

On the pattern of Chandigarh, Shimla has also been declared a smoke-free city, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said.

Smoking in public places has been banned with the implementation of the provisions of the Central Tobacco Control Act in the state from Oct 2, 2008. Massive awareness campaigns were also carried out and around 4,000 people were fined for violating the ban during 2008-10.

The chief minister said all the district headquarters would also be declared smoke-free by May 31 next year, the day observed as World Anti-Tobacco Day.

The government has also decided to open five-bed de-addiction centres in all the government district hospitals, he said.