KMC to impose complete ban on sale of tobacco products from December 13

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 29: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is set to implement a complete ban on the sale of tobacco products in all its 32 wards from December 13, 2023. This ban includes the sale, storage, and use of tobacco products packaged in plastic. The prohibited items include cigarettes, beedi, tamakhu, sulfa, kakkad, raw tobacco packaged in plastic, chewing tobacco, gutkha, paan parag, and others.

KMC’s Health Department Chief, Ram Prasad Poudel, announced that the KMC Police will seize such products if found being sold. This initiative aligns with KMC’s goal of creating a healthy city, and the decision coincides with the 29th KMC Day. The prohibition is based on Clause 42 of the Public Health Act issued by KMC in 2080 BS, reflecting a commitment to reducing the adverse effects of tobacco product use on individual health.

This move is part of a broader effort to enhance public health and environmental conditions in the city. KMC is reportedly planning to implement programs to control hookah (hukka) in the second phase of its tobacco control initiatives.