Warning boards will be displayed at suitable places in the offices, officials said. (representation)
Bangalore:
The Karnataka government has banned its employees from consuming cigarettes and tobacco products inside government offices and premises.
In this regard, in the circular issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), violators have been warned of disciplinary action.
“Despite the legal warning against smoking in government offices and office premises, the government has drawn attention, in this background, in the interest of the health of the employees and to protect the public and government employees from being inactive, smoking, any government employee is completely prohibited from consuming tobacco products including smoking in government offices and office premises. It is prohibited,’ the circular said.
A warning board in this regard will be displayed at suitable places in the offices.
Disciplinary action will be taken if any government employee is found to be smoking or consuming tobacco products (gutkha, panmasala, etc.) in violation of this directive.
Smoking and consumption of other tobacco products are injurious to health and consumption of such products in public places is strictly prohibited under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertising and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Manufacture, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. It is mentioned in the circular.
Rule-31 of the Karnataka State Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021 prohibits any alcoholic drink or consumption of intoxicants in public places, it further pointed out.
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