Ban lighters, matchboxes in Metro: Govt to CISF

Saying that it “promotes smoking,” the Delhi government has written to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), asking it to prohibit passengers from carrying matchboxes and lighters in Metro trains and on the station premises. In its letter, the health department said the CISF does not allow such items at airports and for the same obvious reasons these items should not be allowed in the DMRC premises as well.

Last month, the health department had issued a strict compliance notice to the DMRC in this regard. The DMRC had, in January, taken lighters and matchboxes off the list of restricted items.

In his letter, Dr S.K. Arora, the additional director (Public Health), Delhi, sought an urgent action not only in public health interest to protect the non-smokers from the hazards of smoke, but also in the interest of the safety of commuters and staff as these inflammable items may cause a big security risk any time in the present sensitive scenario.

“It is worth mentioning that when the CISF doesn’t allow such items at airports, then for the same obvious reasons these items should not be allowed in DMRC also,” he said in the letter, adding, “Therefore, you are requested to look into the matter urgently in public health interest and also in the interest of the safety of commuters and staff in the DMRC.”