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Kerala will soon declare its public transport services – surface and water – free of tobacco, the first state country to do so. All forms of tobacco ads have already been banned in the entire state, another first.
Transport Commissioner R Sreelekha has written to officers manning operations to take action against instances of smoking on public conveyances, bus depots and bus stands.
COTPA invoked
This is in compliance with provisions of the Indian tobacco control law Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
Sreelekha said that the World Health Organisation has said that only a 100 per cent smoke-free environment will adequately protect the public from dangers of second-hand smoke.
“We are determined to create a healthy and safe public transport in Kerala and are in the process of creating sustainable and transparent systems of implementation.”
Officials, including ticket conductors/collectors, have been authorised to fine smokers on public conveyances. Violations can invite a fine of up to Rs 200.
No advertisements
Pictorial ‘No Smoking’ signages have to be displayed on all public vehicles at a prominent place, as mandated by Section 4 of the Act.
Inspections for vehicle registration and fitness certificate issuance will check if the said pictorial signages are exhibited on board.
Directions have been issued to ensure that there are no direct and indirect advertisements, and sponsorship of tobacco products, as mandated by Section 5 of the Act.
Recording of offences will form part of the monthly checking reports. These directions are binding on all public conveyances, including autos, taxis, and private buses.
On buses, boats
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has already prohibited smoking and sale of tobacco products in all their buses, bus stations, and offices.
All unit heads have been directed to ensure that no tobacco products are sold in any stall or canteen inside the depots and ‘No Smoking Area’ boards placed in all us stations.
Similarly, all serviceable boats under the state water transport department too have displayed ‘No Smoking’ signages. Special squads have been formed to check for violations.
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