Arunachal govt declares hospitals tobacco-free zones

The Arunachal Pradesh government has declared all hospitals and healthcare institutions across the state as strict ''Tobacco-Free Zones'' with effect from May 19.

The directive, issued by state Health & Family Welfare commissioner Pawan Kumar Sain on Thursday, under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, applies to all government and private healthcare facilities, including district hospitals, community health centres (CHCs), primary health centres (PHCs), sub-centres and medical colleges across the northeastern state.

According to the order, use of all forms of tobacco, including smoking, gutkha, paan masala and chewing tobacco, has been completely prohibited within hospital premises. The ban covers hospital buildings, wards, offices, corridors, parking areas, gardens and canteens.

The department also reiterated the COTPA provision banning the sale and distribution of tobacco products within a 100-yard radius of healthcare institutions.

As part of the new measures, all healthcare facilities have been directed to install prominent ''No Tobacco Zone'' and ''Tobacco Kills'' signboards at entry points, waiting halls and other visible locations.

Hospitals have also been instructed to place collection boxes at entry gates where visitors carrying tobacco products must deposit them before entering the premises.

To ensure strict compliance, medical superintendents and medical officers of each institution have been designated as ''Tobacco Monitors'' and authorised to report violations and oversee implementation of the guidelines.

The department further imposed a complete ban on spitting of tobacco products inside hospital campuses, citing the risk of spreading infectious diseases. It also clarified that no designated smoking areas will be allowed within any healthcare institution.

In addition, all district hospitals and medical colleges have been asked to strengthen tobacco cessation support by providing counselling services and referring tobacco users to district tobacco cessation centres for assistance in quitting the habit.

The order stated that surprise enforcement drives would be carried out regularly by district administrations and District Tobacco Control Cells (DTCCs). Violators, including hospital staff, patients and visitors, may face disciplinary action and fines as per legal provisions.

Appealing for public cooperation, the health and family welfare department said hospitals are meant to be places of healing and wellness, and maintaining a tobacco-free environment is essential to protecting patients, healthcare workers and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco and second-hand smoke.

The department also informed that free counselling and tobacco cessation services are available at all district hospitals and medical colleges for those seeking help to quit tobacco.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)