Kathmandu: The sale, consumption, and transaction of tobacco-based products have been officially prohibited in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) area starting today. Ram Prasad Poudel, Chief of the Health Department at KMC, announced a comprehensive ban on the sale of tobacco products in all 32 wards of the metropolis.

The ban specifically includes the selling, storage, and consumption of tobacco products packaged in plastic within the KMC boundaries. Prohibited tobacco items encompass raw tobacco, chewing tobacco, bidi, tambakhu, sulpha, gutkha, panparag, all packaged in plastic pouches.

The decision to impose the ban was issued through a public notice by KMC on November 28. KMC Police will actively seize prohibited tobacco products if found being sold.

Ram Prasad Poudel emphasized the municipality's commitment to transforming Kathmandu into a healthy city, stating, "We have decided to ban the storage, selling, and use of tobacco-based products harmful to people's health and the environment, coinciding with the 29th KMC Day."

The prohibition aligns with Clause 42 of the Public Health Act issued by KMC in 2080 BS, aimed at reducing the adverse effects of tobacco product use on individual health. This move is considered a critical step in advancing public health and environmental well-being in the city.

Furthermore, KMC is reportedly preparing to implement a program to control hookah (hukka) in the second phase, underscoring its commitment to comprehensive tobacco control measures.