We, the residents and concerned parents of Officer's colony, TVS Colony and the surrounding areas of Anna Nagar West Extension, are deeply troubled by the growing issue of public smoking near the children’s park in our locality.

Every day, more than 50 children visit this park to play and enjoy clean, outdoor air along with adults exercising and senior citizens walking.

However, individuals frequently smoke near the park compound wall exactly near the play area , causing cigarette smoke to drift inside where children and families gather. This is not just a nuisance—it is a serious health hazard, particularly for young children who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of passive smoking.

This ongoing behavior is a violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, which prohibits smoking in public places and near areas frequented by children.

We are calling on the Greater Chennai Corporation, local police, and ward councillors to:

Strictly enforce the No-Smoking law around the park

Install prominent “No Smoking” signage

Deploy patrolling or monitoring during peak hours (especially 4–7 PM)

Raise awareness among residents about the risks of smoking in public spaces

Let us come together to protect the right of our children to breathe clean air and play safely in their neighborhood.

Sign this petition to urge authorities to act now and make our park a smoke-free zone.