In view of the forthcoming Khelo India Winter games, the authorities have declared the ski resort of Gulmarg and the tourist spot of Tangmarg as “Tobacco Free Zone and Smoke Free Tourist Areas” in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, an official said.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla has issued an order in this regard stating that “in the interest of public health/ Khelo India at Gulmarg 2025 and with a view to keep entire Gulmarg and Tangmarg clean during the event, the entire Gulmarg and Tangmarg area is declared “Tabacoo free Zone/ Smoke Free Tourist areas”.
As such the smoking and spitting of tobacco in the entire Gulmarg and Tangmarg areas are prohibited and is a punishable offence, the order reads.
It has also directed the senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla Chief Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), Sub Divisional Magistrate Gulmarg and chief Medical Officer along with local administration to ensure strict implementation.
The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 are scheduled to took place from January 23 to February 25, 2025 in the famous ski resort of Gulmarg.
“Whereas spitting of tobacco, etc. leads to the spread of swine flu, tuberculosis and pneumonia and gastrointestinal diseases”, the order further reads and states, “TB bacilli can survive in spit for an entire day, which causes health problems to the public or nuisance to the people in general”.
“Whereas section 270 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) stipulates that a person is guilty of a public nuisance who does any act or is guilty of an illegal omission which causes any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity, or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction, danger or annoyance to persons who may have occasion to use a public right”, the order further reads.