Lucknow set to be UP’s first city to have tobacco-free govt offices

The state capital is all set to get tobacco-free government establishments. In a one of its kind order, the chief development officer (CDO), Prashant Sharma, has ordered heads of various departments to check tobacco consumption on the premises of their respective offices and fine erring officials.

The order, if thoroughly implemented, would make Lucknow the state’s first city to have tobacco-free government offices. “Offices will now be under check. Departmental heads have been asked to appoint nodal officers to check tobacco consumption in their respective offices,” said Prashant Sharma.

The CDO, also the acting chairman of the district health society (DHS) that deals with health-related issues across the district, has issued challan books to all the departments to ensure regular fining. “Challan books have been issued to the heads of around 45 government establishments and they have been asked to share progress reports on monthly basis,” Sharma added.

The CDO said that erring officers would be fined under section 4 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. Section 4 of the Act prohibits smoking in public places, including auditoriums, hospitals, buildings, railway waiting rooms, amusement centers, restaurants, public offices, court buildings, education institutes and libraries among other places. It also includes fine up to Rs 200.

On July 5, the CDO had challaned around six government officers, who had been found chewing tobacco on office premises.

“It’s a revolutionary move, especially for government offices that are often infamous for on-premises tobacco consumption. In my service of 30 years, I haven’t come across any such move and such effective implementation,” said a senior government officer.

LUCKNOW: