Bhutan Narcotics Control Authority (BNCA) fined 19 people in Thimphu for smoking in public areas over the past three days.
According to Tobacco Control Act of Bhutan, 2014, if one lights up in public spaces or gatherings, he or she is liable to pay a fine of Nu 500 per incident. If caught smoking without paying the tobacco import tax, the person will be fined Nu 10,000.
With the onset of summer vacation, BNCA and other relevant agencies have intensified surprise inspection in non-smoking zones and entertainment clubs.
“Over the few days, we have apprehended few cases of youth smoking in public places or restricted zones,” said the Chief Programme Officer of BNCA, Ugyen Tshering, adding that majority of the defaulters are youth.
BNCA officials said tobacco contains nicotine which leads to addiction like drugs and have many other harmful effects to one’s health.
“Our intention is to discourage youth to smoke and encourage them to have a healthy life ahead,” said Phuntsho Wangdi, the Director General of BNCA.
Since the initiative of ad-hoc checking has helped in reducing the number of smokers in public places, BNCA intends to continue it even after the summer breaks are over.
