Bangalore: Karnataka state department of information technology recently told some IT firms to put a ban on smoking at campus premises. This may be forced to all IT companies in future.

Generally many of IT people have habit of smoking and they frequently smoke near office premises for reducing stress. Now, Karnataka IT organizations, BT and ITeS companies have been told that they put a ban on smoking in a campus premises.

If you are working in IT sector and habit of smoking better to note this. Last week, the department of information technology, biotechnology and science and technology sent a circular to five associations representing the IT industry in the state. The change follows a recent discussion between the Public Health Institute and the department.

The circular has been sent to India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, Animation, Visual Effects, Games and Comics (ABAI), Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises, The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) and the Manufacturing IT (MAIT) that deals with hardware, training, R&D and hardware design.

In Bangalore IT sector is very huge and thousands of companies, lakhs of people working in teh city may be addicted to smoking. Hence, it’s important to comply with Section 4 of COTPA and prohibit smoking on campuses.

IT-BT prinicipal secretary V Manjula said, “implementation of the ban is necessary in the IT industry, employer of the largest workforce in the state. “Just a circular may not be able to change an individual’s choice. But they are educated people and aware of public health. Even if they don’t quit, they should be aware of where not to smoke”.

As the Circular says

• All offices need to put up signage as per COTPA specifications
• Each floor, staircase and entrance to lifts should have boards prohibiting smoking in public places
• Companies should take practical steps like forming self-help groups to encourage employees to quit smoking
• Spread awareness on tobacco hazards in the company through talks, staff awareness day, monthly newsletter, flash mobs, etc.