It is appreciable that the administration headed by Lt Governor of Jammu Kashmir has taken several steps to make arrangements for improvements at Shri Amarnathji Yatra routes and to make it people-friendly especially with regard to food stuff and intoxicants because this is the first time that fried and junk food has been banned besides so many sweets and other food items to ensure good health of the pilgrims. Along with a ban on junk food, the Yatra this time has been declared as tobacco–free with the administration trying to ensure that people including those making arrangements for the Yatra keep away from cigarettes and Gutka. According to the CEO of SASB, the Yatra tracks have been widened, illuminated and provided side railings for support and convenience of the pilgrimage.
This is a good step for promoting public health and wellness but what is difficult in this whole gamut is implementation part because containing the use of tobacco among lakhs of pilgrims would simply be a herculean task and with most of the stakeholders interested in smoking and chewing Gutka, it is likely that implementing this order in letter and spirit will be a big challenge.
Reportedly, the decision, made under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), aims at safeguarding the well-being of lakhs of Yatris participating in the pilgrimage each year. Otherwise also the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA-2003) calls for an unambiguous ban on tobacco use at public events.
Taking head on the challenge of stopping people from using tobacco products including smoking, the Government of J&K has prohibited sale of tobacco products at all stations along the yatra route, emphasizing the commitment to create a tobacco-free environment throughout the journey.
As implementation is difficult therefore the DHSK has ensured to provide extensive support through the district Tobacco Control Cells in Ganderbal and Anantnag and execute various activities aimed at making the Amarnath Yatra a “tobacco-free Yatra”. The DHSK has decided to take several initiatives to promote awareness and assist the yatris in overcoming tobacco addiction. The decision has been taken that the concerned quarters would install informative posters, banners, and other educational materials at strategic places and important stations along the yatra routes to educate the yatris about the harmful effects of tobacco and encourage them to make healthy choices. Whether the plan of the government to make this Yatra tobacco-free would become successful or like the earlier case people will continue to puff cigarettes during Yatra is something which will become clear only after the commencement of Yatra but the concerned officials should at least try for making this decision a reality as the same is good for public health. Officers should ensure that the job is not done half-heartedly like many others in the past because implementation is a big challenge.
