Kathmandu, Dec 13: The sale, use, and trading of tobacco products have been completely prohibited in Kathmandu Metropolitan City starting today.

Ram Prasad Paudel, the head of the Metropolitan Health Department, announced the ban on the sale of tobacco products across all 32 wards of the metropolis. The prohibition extends to the sale, storage, and use of tobacco products packed in plastic.

The Metropolitan Municipality issued a public notice on November 12, stating that the storage, sale, and use of raw tobacco, khaini, bindi, tobacco, sulfa, gutkha, panparag, or similar tobacco products packed in plastic are strictly forbidden.

According to the notice, individuals found selling or distributing such materials will face confiscation, and legal action will be taken through the city police.

Paudel, the head of the health department, emphasized the strict implementation of these measures to mitigate the adverse health effects of tobacco product consumption.

Previously, the metropolis had already banned smoking and tobacco use in public places from October 1. It has urged individuals to refrain from smoking in various locations, including public places, airports, public toilets, monasteries, patipauwa, schools, health institutions, children’s and old age homes, shops, parks, etc.

Violators of these regulations in Kathmandu Metropolis are subject to penalties, as per the municipality’s announcement.