Bengaluru receives 'healthy city' award for smoking laws

Bengaluru won the 'Partnership for Healthy Cities' award at a summit held in London on Wednesday for effectively enforcing smoke-free laws.
BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said Bengaluru has been lauded for its efforts to curb public smoking and, thereby, significantly reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. The global summit brought together mayors and officials from over 50 cities to discuss public health concerns and the best practices that can save lives and create healthier spaces.
The focused effort from smoke-free Bengaluru resulted in a reduction of public-place smoking (from 18.2% in 2017 to 13.3% in 2021) and a notable increase in display of 'no-smoking' signs (from 23.1% in 2017 to 75% in 2021), said Trilok Chandra KV, special commissioner (health).