Gangtok: State Health department has been working hard to make the people aware about the ill effects of smoking. “Our goal is to drive it (smoking) out specially from public places, schools, hospitals and such other areas”, Mrs. M. Pradhan, District Nodal Officer, Tobacco Control Cell, Singtam Hospital said Wednesday. Mrs Pradhan along with Additional Director, Health Department, accompanied by a police team led a drive against tobacco at public places in the city. The team raided several hotels, taxi stands and beetle shops of the capital. The team found a number of shops and hotels without “No Smoking” sign. Mrs Pradhan told the hoteliers and shopkeepers the importance of such a sign in public interest. Talking to reporters Mrs. Pradhan informed that after strict initiative by health department and Sikkim Police, not only the cases of smoking in public places came under control but the sell of tobacco has declined in Sikkim. Smoking in public places is an offence and “our motto is to keep to our society and the state as a whole healthy. The team led by Mrs. Pradhan has already raided bazaars in Pakyong, Rangpo and Singtam and found that the awareness level among the masses is satisfactory. During the day’s checking a couple of persons were caught smoking and were fined.
