KMC Launched "Healthy City Program". image source: Independent.ie

KMC Launched “Healthy City Program” on Friday

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has recently launched an 18 months campaign called Healthy City Program. The campaign focuses on banning the use of tobacco and smoking cigarettes in the public places of Kathmandu. The plan also is to strictly control purchase, sale, and consumption of tobacco and cigarettes to promote a healthier lifestyle in the valley.

KMC Mayor, Bidhya Sundar Shakya said there would not be any compromise in implementing this drive while unveiling the plan on Friday. He said, “In a bid to control its massive use, the Government has made it expensive. The Government makes a good income through it, but, public are paying a higher amount for their treatment.”

The mayor said the campaign will be effective in sending the message to the mass that smoking and consuming tobacco at the public place is punishable.

According to a press release on Friday, KMC Mayor has requested all the city dwellers to support the campaign – Healthy City Program. The release also stated that KMC would deploy city police to check the purchase and sale of tobacco. Anyone found during the ‘act’ would be fined NPR. 100 to NPR. 1000. Likewise, shops in Kathmandu valley will also be restricted from displaying tobacco products and selling them to people below 18-year-olds and pregnant women.

KMC Spokesperson, Gyanendra Karki said that the office was planning to impose a complete ban on the purchase and sale of tobacco products in few years. He said, “We have directed all ward chairs in KMC to form a committee to create awareness of smoking-related health risks and request people to refrain from smoking in public places.”

KMC said that shops within a distance of 100m from academic institution and hospital would not be allowed to sell the tobacco products.

KMC Public Health Department Chief, Hari Kumar Shrestha said, in order to control the use of tobacco, a committee of 15-16 people would be formed in all the wards in the metropolis for the door-to-door awareness program.

If effectively implemented, the KMC will be the 50th city in the world to implement Healthy Cities Program.

According to a source, World Health Organization Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) has provided NPR. 10 million in assistance to the KMC to conduct the Healthy City campaign.

 

Source: The Kathmandu Post

Featured Image: Independent.ie