PESHAWAR, May 23: The administration of the University of Peshawar has banned the use and sale of tobacco inside the campus, making it a ‘tobacco-free zone’. The ban has been imposed on all sorts of tobacco products, whose sale would be strictly prohibited after June 1, a university spokesman said.

According to a notification issued on Wednesday by the directorate of administration of the University of Peshawar, all shops and canteens in the campus were ordered to dispose their existing stuff till May 31 after which they would not be allowed to sell or purchase tobacco items.

Shopkeepers and owners of canteens were warned of strict disciplinary action if they did not follow the instructions, including cancellation of allotment contracts in case of repeated violations. The step is in line with the universtiy’s recent commitment with the World Health.

The university administration also issued an ‘informative letter’ to be displayed in canteens and shops in the campus to ‘sensitise’ the students. It warned students of dire consequences and advised them to quit smoking. “University is a place where along with the education, students are also taught manners and etiquettes and the administration is taking every care of the health of these nation-builders. Every one of us has to create awareness in this regard thus making our surroundings, university, city, province, country and the world a tobacco-free zone,” said a press release issued by the university administration here on Wednesday.