Matchboxes, lighters banned in Delhi Metro

Dr S.K. Arora, additional director (health), Delhi, said the government has written to the DMRC that carrying a matchbox or lighter violates the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rule, 2008 under Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act

The Delhi government has issued a strict compliance notice to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation directing it to prohibit passengers from carrying matchboxes and lighters in Metro trains and on the station premises as it “promotes smoking”.

The metro corporation had in January taken lighters and matchboxes off the list of those items, which were restricted in Metros.

A commuter is now allowed to carry one matchbox and one lighter in Metros and on the station premises.

Dr S.K. Arora, additional director (health), Delhi, said that the government had written to the corporation that carrying a matchbox or lighter violates the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rule, 2008 under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.

“By allowing lighter or matchbox, smoking is promoted, directly or indirectly. Despite writing to the corporation in the past, we have not yet received an action taken report,” Mr Arora said.

A strict compliance notice has been issued to the metro corporation by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government under Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, asking the corporation to stop allowing matchboxes and lighters in Metro trains and also on the station premises.

Directing the DMRC, the Delhi government stated that in case its instructions were not strictly followed, legal action will be initiated against the corporation and also the guilty commuters, additional director (health) said.