SUBHASH MISHRA
Deoghar, July 2: In a pioneering step, the Deoghar chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has enforced a complete ban on the use of banned tobacco products in all private hospitals, nursing homes, and health clinics across the district. This move aims to strengthen health awareness and promote a tobacco-free healthcare environment.
The IMA has directed all private medical establishments to install information boards prominently displaying the ban on tobacco use, ensuring that patients and visitors are well-informed.
Though the Jharkhand government had already notified a ban on tobacco use in public places, Deoghar IMA has become the first medical association in both Jharkhand and Bihar to extend this prohibition to private healthcare institutions.
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Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism in Place
Speaking on Wednesday, IMA Deoghar secretary and IMA national Standing Committee member Dr. Gaurishankar said that hospital and clinic authorities have also been asked to monitor compliance with the ban. If any individual is found violating the rule, they are to inform the concerned district authority, as the IMA itself does not hold legal power to impose fines.
“We cannot penalize violators on the spot, but we will ensure that appropriate legal action is taken by informing the district administration,” said Dr. Gaurishankar. Notably, Jharkhand is the first state in India to raise the fine for smoking in public places to ₹1,000.
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AIIMS Director’s Initiative Spurs Action
The tobacco control initiative was taken on the suggestion of AIIMS Deoghar Director Prof. (Dr.) Saurabh Varshney, who also serves as a Standing Committee member of the IMA’s National Tobacco Control Program.
Dr. Varshney and his team have been actively promoting anti-tobacco efforts, and this latest move is seen as a direct outcome of their ongoing advocacy.
The decision was finalized in a meeting held on Tuesday evening, where the IMA discussed various measures to enhance public health awareness and enforce tobacco control in medical settings.
