MP's Maheshwar And Mandleshwar Declared Tobacco-Free Zones

Mandleshwar (Madhya Pradesh): Maheshwar and Mandleshwar have been declared tobacco-free zones at a meeting held here on Thursday.

This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by SDM Anil Jain under National Tobacco Control Programme organised at Mandleshwar city council hall.

Key officials Dr Awadhesh Patidar (district dental surgeon), Anand Verma (state coordinator, MP Voluntary Health Association), local council representatives, education officers and various administrative officials took part in the meeting.

SDM Jain announced that all temples, Narmada ghats, food donation centres (Annakshetras), educational institutions, court premises and public places will now be strictly free from smoking and tobacco sales.

Surveillance teams comprising municipal staff, institution representatives and local dignitaries will be formed to monitor these locations. An enforcement team consisting of officials from the municipal council, revenue department and police will oversee their work and take necessary action against violators.

First-time offenders will be issued warnings, while repeated violations will lead to confiscation, destruction of tobacco products and monetary fines. City Council president Vishwadeep Moyde announced that warning boards and public awareness hoardings will be installed. BEO Basant Verma added that schools will place banners prohibiting tobacco sales within a 100-meter radius.