Agartala, June 03, 2025: In a decisive move to promote public health and uphold tobacco control laws, the Sepahijala District administration has declared three prominent tourist destinations as tobacco-restricted zones.

According to an official memorandum issued on May 30, the Neermahal Tourist Complex in Melaghar, the Kasba Kalibari Complex in Kamalasagar, and the Sepahijala Zoo in Bishalgarh have been brought under the purview of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. This step is part of the National Tobacco Control Programme’s broader mission to foster a tobacco-free environment.

“The use of tobacco in any form, whether smoking or smokeless, is strictly prohibited in and around these areas,” stated the order. It further bans the sale of tobacco products in these tourist zones, aiming to safeguard public health—particularly that of children and visitors—and preserve the cleanliness and cultural sanctity of these heritage locations.

To ensure effective implementation, all Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Block Development Officers, police personnel, and relevant departments have been directed to maintain strict compliance. Signage marking the tobacco-restricted status of the sites will be prominently displayed, and regular enforcement and awareness campaigns will be undertaken in coordination with the District NTCP Cell.

Violations of this directive will attract penalties under the COTPA, 2003. The order has come into immediate effect and is seen as a significant step in strengthening tobacco regulation across the district.