To promote public health and protect the environment, the District Magistrate of Baramulla has declared Gulmarg and Tangmarg as smoke-free tourist zones. As per Order No. 176/DDC of 2025, smoking and spitting tobacco in these areas are now prohibited, and anyone violating the rule will face legal action. This step supports the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan and aims to maintain a clean atmosphere, especially during the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 in Gulmarg. Officials highlighted the well-known dangers of tobacco, including serious health risks like tuberculosis and pneumonia. The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, already bans smoking in public places, and Section 270 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) addresses public health hazards, providing legal support for this initiative. The district administration has instructed the police, the Gulmarg Development Authority, local officials, and health authorities to strictly enforce this order.
