Durga puja committees urged to make pandals tobacco-free zones

The Kamrup (Metro) district administration on Monday appealed to the Durga puja celebration committees here to make the pandals tobacco-free zones, an official release said.

State capital Guwahati falls under Kamrup (Metro) district. Stating that cancer kills 50 per cent of its users and is expected to kill about one million people in the 21st century, the administration urged the puja celebration committees to display hoardings denouncing the use of tobacco.

"... all are hereby requested to kindly ensure display of at least two hoardings at every Puja Pandal with the slogan "No Smoking Area - Smoking Here is an Offence" and "Saradiya Puja Dhapat Mukta Puja", the release said. 'Dhapat' is a form of fermented tobacco.