On July 15, 2007, Chandigarh a union territory of India became free from tobacco smoke. It’s a first not only in India but also in any third world country. Till now only places in the developed countries like California, Washington, New York, Sydney, etc. were free of harmful and cancer causing tobacco smoke.

The tobacco control law (Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003) which came into force on May 1, 2004 but had existed just on papers. In July 2007 the law was for the first time enforced in its letter and spirit in Chandigarh. Once the decision was taken, the necessary notification empowering enforcement agencies to take cognisance of smoking in public were issued. A policy guideline was developed and a tobacco control cell was also formed to ensure proper compliance and substance of smoke-free Chandigarh campaign.

With an active participation of social activists and the enthusiastic approach of the people, Chandigarh has been able to sustain the smoke-free initiative and celebrated its first successful anniversary on July 15, 2008. Chandigarh remains the first state in the entire country where all the hotels and restaurants are smoke-free. It’s also the first place where there is hundred percent compliance of smoke-free laws by all the educational institutes and all public offices display the non-smoking mandatory boards and signs.