As part of its efforts to curb smoking at public places,the Jammu and Kashmir government has empowered newly elected sarpanches and panches to impose fine on defaulters under Anti-Tobacco Act in the state. "The Government has empowered sarpanches and panches for imposing fine if anyone is found smoking in a public place," Food Inspector Drug Control Department Shabir Ahmad Lone told an anti-tobacco rally here. The rally,taken out from SP Higher Secondary School to Civil Defence Control Room in the city,was organised by J&K Voluntary Health Association (VHA) in collaboration with Divisional Administration Kashmir and Civil Defence organisation. The volunteers were sensitised about the Tobacco Control Act and rules related to prohibition of smoking at public places.
