Berhampur, Nov 1: Starting November 1, all government offices in Ganjam district will officially be declared tobacco-free zones. Any government employee found consuming tobacco within office premises will be fined ₹2,000, with the collected amount to be donated to the Red Cross Fund, announced District Collector V. Keerthi Vasan. The initiative will first be implemented in the District Collector’s Office and then extended to all other government offices. Boards declaring the premises as “Tobacco-Free Zone” will be installed at office entrances.

In addition, all areas within 100 meters of educational institutions will be declared tobacco-free zones. Strict inspections will be conducted at shops, and violators will face penalties.

The decision was announced during a meeting of the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), chaired by Collector Vasan in the Good Governance Conference Hall, organized by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

Speaking at the event, Chief District Medical Officer Dr. Balunkeswar Sadangi explained in detail the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and ways to curb its use. He noted that tobacco use has become a major global health concern, leading to millions of deaths every year. In India, tobacco-related diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, respiratory problems, diabetes, and strokes claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually.

Collector Vasan emphasized that all forms of tobacco are harmful to health and urged widespread awareness campaigns to educate the public. He called for collective action from all departments and communities to create tobacco-free villages and ultimately make Ganjam a completely tobacco-free district.