Nepal police hold 130 in anti-smoking crackdown

Police in Nepal have briefly detained dozens of people at the start of a crackdown on smoking in public places.

Police official Jaya Bahadur Chand said today that 130 people were detained for smoking in various public places in the capital Katmandu and held for three hours yesterday.

They were released only after signing documents promising not to repeat the offence.

Nepal’s anti-smoking law bans smoking in public places including hotels and restaurants and on public transport.

The law was imposed last year but authorities only began taking action yesterday.

Mr Chand said they will begin to fine money from next week. The fine for violating the ban is 100 rupees (1.20 US dollars). The government issued notices in newspapers this week warning people not to smoke in public.