SRINAGAR, Aug 31: Police in Kashmir, usually accustomed to anti-militancy campaign, on Friday cracked down on public smokers in summer capital Srinagar imposing fines on them.
The state government recently imposed ban on smoking at public places in most of the towns in Jammu and Kashmir, a region which consumes the second highest tobacco products across the country, according to a survey.
Also Read: Kashmir tops states with highest number of smokers
“To make Srinagar city smoke free, anti-tobacco squad Srinagar fined 17 persons found smoking in public places,” an official spokesperson said.
“The inspection squad comprising food safety officer, officials from health and police departments also inspected various health and educational institutions to curb the menace of smoking in municipal limits of Srinagar,” the spokesperson added.
An amount of 3,250 rupees was recovered as fine from the penalised smokers.
Also Read: Alongside conflict, Kashmir battles smoking, cancer
