Aazan Manzoor
Anantnag, Jan 1: Mir Jafar, a resident of Sheikgund Shangus in Anantnag, has taken the lead in transforming his village into a “smoke-free zone.” Over the past two months, he has worked with shopkeepers and elders in the community to reduce the sale and consumption of tobacco products.
“We urged shopkeepers to stop selling tobacco. While it may bring some loss, I reminded them that Allah will reward them for their efforts. We hope other neighborhoods will follow our example,” Jafar told the news agency—JKNS.
He said shopkeepers have completely stopped selling cigarettes and tobacco, and many elders who smoked for 40-50 years have given it up. This is a noteworthy achievement.
A local resident praised the effort saying, I am grateful to the elders, youth, and especially Jafar Sahib for this initiative. Alhamdulillah, even if it’s not 100%, at least 90% change is visible. Shopkeepers now avoid selling cigarettes.
Notably, this initiative has brought hope for a healthier lifestyle and has inspired nearby communities to adopt similar measures.
It is worth noting that a 2022 survey revealed that Jammu and Kashmir spends ₹850 crore annually on tobacco products, including cigarettes. (JKNS)
