‘Kathmandu Smoke-Free by 2020’

Kathmandu will be smoke-free by the end of 2020, reports The Himalayan Times, citing Mayor Bidhya Sundar Shakya.

The metropolis is part of  the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a global network of 70 cities committed to saving lives by preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCD) such as cancer and diabetes.

Through this partnership, cities commit to one of 14 interventions that address the risk factors causing NCDs and injuries, such as implementing smoke-free laws that protect residents from secondhand smoke.

“Improving public health requires bold action,” said Mayor Shakya. “We are proud to be part of this group of cities working to ensure longer and fuller lives for people.”

A recent study shows that prevalence of tobacco use in adults is 68.4 percent in rural areas of Kathmandu and 37 percent in urban areas of Kathmandu.