Jammu and Kashmir today became the first state in the country to declare all election booths in the coming Lok Sabha polls as no smoking zones.
It will now be mandatory for all election booths to display the 'No Smoking Area' warning.
Chief electoral officer of Jammu and Kashmir, Umang Narula issued a circular directing all election booths in the state shall be 'No Smoking Zones'.
An official spokesman said instructions in this regard have been issued to all returning officers and district election officers of the state by the chief electoral officer.
Narula issued the directions following a representation made J&K Voluntary Health Association through its executive director AM Mir.
Mir requested the chief electoral officer to declare all election booths as No-Smoking Zones in accordance with Section-4 of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003, which prohibits smoking at all public places.