District Collector P.G. Thomas has said that tobacco use is a habit that does no good but brings misery to society. “Therefore the habit has to be given up” he said while launching the “Tobacco-free Kollam” scheme at a function here on Thursday. The harm of tobacco use was that it was not only harmful to the user, but also to others who do not use it. So it was high time that people give up smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco products. In order to get rid of the evil, more and more people should join the campaign against tobacco-use and those addicted to the use of such products should set an example by getting rid of it, Mr. Thomas said. Kollam Corporation councillor G. Anandan administered a pledge against use of tobacco. The Collector also distributed boards announcing that “smoking banned here” to the police for being installed at public places. The board contained a phone number through which the public could inform the police in case they see anyone violating the ban.