Pilot project afoot for making Udupi's apartments tobacco-free zones

Udupi: With a view to making the living spaces free from tobacco, plans are afoot to make Udupi’s apartments tobacco-free. A pilot project is being implemented through the District Surveillance Unit in the district, for the first time in the state, for making the living spaces in the district tobacco-free areas.

A meeting has already been held with the builders (CREDAI) in this regard and there has been a positive response, said district surveillance officer Dr. Nagaratna.

An online survey was conducted in Udupi by the district surveillance unit asking residents’ opinions about establishing tobacco-free apartment buildings or installing a designated smoking zone. Of the 40 who responded to the survey, 35 said they wanted tobacco-free apartment buildings, while only 3 said they were happy to live in buildings with a designated smoking zone.

Surprisingly, 39 people said that they were willing to buy a dwelling in tobacco-free apartment complexes even if the price was higher than the norm.

Separate smoking zone

It is learned that builders have also responded positively to the initiative. Builders expressed their desire to make the apartments completely smoke-free or have smoking zones at the top of the apartments. The industry feels that the construction of smoking zones will avoid any nuisance to others.

Applicable for new apartments only

In the pilot phase, only newly built apartment complexes would be brought under the scheme.

Tobacco consumption — both chewable as well as smoking — such as khaini, gutkha, zarda, cigarette, and beedi will be prohibited in these spaces.

It is thought to conduct workshops for the members of the apartment societies to make the existing apartments also tobacco-free.