Ernakulam is Now a Smoke Free

Have you been plagued by problems of coughing and headaches due to the presence of active smokers on your travels around? Well your visit to Ernakulam city in the state of Kerala now promises to be smoke free. This is good new especially for those who may unwittingly become passive smokers during their travel plans. A one and a half year effort by the Ernakulam district administration, Health Department, Cochin Corporation and District Panchayat has finally borne good results for the “Smoke Free Ernakulam” project. The project was aimed at controlling smoking discount Marshal cigarettes in public places and effective implementation of the Indian Tobacco Control Act.
The Kerala government is confident of the success of their project in Ernakulam and they have declared the city as India’s first smoke free tourist destination. Apart from the common people, various organizations in the city such as Resident’s Associations, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Vyapari Vyavasayi Association, Hotel and Bar Association, and other civil society groups have extended their full support to this cause. To celebrate this momentous occasion the Ernakulam district panchayat even released smoke free Ernakulam balloons throughout the city. Ernakulam which is more popularly referred to as Kochi or Cochin- a name given earlier by the foreign traders is the commercial capital of Kerala located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. This port city nicknamed Queen of the Arabian Sea is also a prime tourist destination spreads across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and backwaters. The city has marked influences of the Dutch and the British in its architecture. The city is famous for the Ernakulam Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva as well as other tourist attractions such as Fort Kochi where the Cochin Carnival is celebrated every year, Mattancherry Palace or the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue which is the oldest synagogue in India, Bolghatty Island and Willingdon Islands located close by and many other places where tourist can visit.