Ban imposed on smoking in trains and railway stations

LAHORE: Inspector General of Railway Police on Sunday issued orders to ban smoking in trains and railway stations.

According to police sources, the office of the Inspector General of Railway Police has issued a circular imposing ban over tobacco smoking in the railways department across the country.

The circular started tobacco ban will also be obligatory at all railway stations and offices of the department. Sources said the ban was imposed under the Anti-Tobacco Ordinance 2002 on the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health.

Earlier, the Ministry of National Health recommended the smoking will also be banned for vendors, waiters, hawkers, coolies and others at railway stations.

The order warned of disciplinary action under the applicable law in case of infringement of the smoking ban. The letter further said the train driver, conductor guard and waiting room managers will be endorsed to enforce the law.

In addition to the ASI or higher officers of the railway, police will also be allowed to act under the law and the police will be responsible for enforcement of the law at particular railway stations.