Kathmandu, July 28 -- In a bid to caution smokers about the decision to ban smoking in public places, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has started an awareness campaign within its jurisdiction.

Recent executive and municipal assembly meetings of the city office had decided to enforce a smoking ban in public places and slap a fine of Rs500 for violating the rule.

"We have already started an awareness campaign against smoking in public places," said Raju Nath Pandey, chief of the KMC Police. "Our city police speak to people caught smoking in public places, ask them to stub out their cigarettes and collect the butts."

The decision to ban smoking in public places is in accordance with Clause 42 of the Public Health Act, which the metr...