Srinagar, June 28: The Health Department Kashmir has recently declared the annual Amarnath Yatra as tobacco-free and has imposed a ban on tobacco at public events under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA-2003).
In an official order issued today, the DHSK emphasized the need to safeguard the health of the pilgrims and ensure compliance with tobacco control laws. As a result, the use and sale of tobacco products at all stations along the Yatra route have been completely prohibited.
“The use of tobacco at public events has been banned in accordance with the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA-2003). The Amarnath Yatra is one of the largest annual events organized in Kashmir, with an estimated participation of around one million devotees each year,” stated the order.
To support the objective of making the Yatra tobacco-free, the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, along with the District Tobacco Control Cell in Ganderbal and Anantnag, will actively engage in various activities. These initiatives will include the distribution of informative material such as posters and banners at important Yatra stations, conducting awareness and counseling camps, providing cessation facilities to assist individuals in quitting tobacco, and enforcing COTPA-2003.
This decision comes as part of the Tobacco Free Campaigns launched by the Health Department, which aims to address the significant tobacco burden in Jammu and Kashmir. As preparations for the annual Amarnath Yatra are underway, the Health Department has also ensured the establishment of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities to handle any emergencies that may arise during the pilgrimage.
The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence next month, and the declaration of a tobacco-free status underscores the commitment of the authorities to promote the well-being and health of all participants.
