Kathmandu, September 15
Kathmandu metropolitan city has banned the consumption of tobacco products in public places from September 17 (this Saturday) onwards.
The city has said people who do not abide by the rule will be punished as per the law.
According to the Tobacco Products (Control and Regulatory) Act, 2011, no person shall be allowed to smoke or consume tobacco in public places. But, the law has not been implemented.
According to the city, people cannot smoke cigarettes, beedi and cigars in public places. They have also been told not to consume tobacco products like chewing tobacco and gutka among others.
People who fail to abide by the rules will be removed from the public area and will be fined heavily.
The city has also defined what constitutes a public place. Accordingly, people are barred from consuming tobacco products in government offices, educational institutions, libraries, health posts, airports, old age homes, orphanages, public toilets, cinema halls, theatres, restaurants, and factories. People can only smoke or consume tobacco products in designated zones in these areas.
The city officials have asked these places to put up signs clearly mentioning that people could be fined Rs 100 or removed from the place or both if the rule is violated.
