LAHORE: Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa of the Lahore Division has adopted a proactive approach to discourage smoking within government offices.
He has mandated all departments to convert their workplaces into smoke-free zones, prominently featuring a ‘Smoking is strictly prohibited’ sign.
During the inaugural anti-smoking meeting in Lahore, Commissioner Randhawa emphasized the crucial participation of representatives from all departments in the Divisional Implementation Committee for Anti-Smoking.
He further directed department heads to enforce a smoke-free policy within their offices and to display the prescribed signage prominently.
Highlighting the significance of strict rule enforcement in public spaces, Commissioner Randhawa mandated each department to formulate a work plan within two weeks and communicate it to the administration. Education authorities are assigned the task of providing data on shops within a 50-meter radius of schools and colleges to the commissioner’s office.
Furthermore, education authorities are expected to organize speech and writing competitions to nurture creativity among children against tobacco use.
The Commissioner instructed the initiation of inspections of the sale of all tobacco products near educational institutions, promptly addressing violations such as open cigarettes and tobacco advertisements on shop premises. Monthly reports on these inspections will be submitted to the Commissioner’s office.
