| At last the ban on smoking in public places in India has | | | | the manufacturing and sale of tobacco in India.It is also |
| come into force on 01/10/2008, thanks to the | | | | interesting to note how the Central Government is |
| pioneering efforts taken by the Union Health Minister | | | | going to deal with the opposing interests of the two |
| Dr.Anbumani Ramadass. The general statutory | | | | ministries. |
| warning 'Smoking is injurious to health' of a person who | | | | Though the ban on smoking in public places is the |
| smokes, generally conveys the impression that only | | | | target, still there is no clear-cut definition to explain |
| smokers' health is affected resulting in deadly diseases | | | | what is exactly a public place.Generally, offices, |
| like lung cancer and tuberculosis etc. But the irony is | | | | schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, |
| even the teetotalers or the non-smokers are | | | | air ports etc are defined as public places, their exact |
| becoming the victims of such deadly diseases, just | | | | area or limit has not been explained.The ban order also |
| because they inhale the smoke that is spread by the | | | | entrusts with some specific persons to enforce the |
| smokers in the open air and in the public places. | | | | order. For example in a school or a college, the |
| Actually the non-smoking victims outnumber the | | | | headmaster or the principal is the person to see that |
| smoking victims. Hence, though we whole-heartedly | | | | the ban on smoking is strictly followed and enforced |
| welcome such a welfare measure taken by the Union | | | | and also to hand over the culprits who violate the ban |
| Government of India, we have to analyze how far | | | | order. |
| such a ban will be effective in India. | | | | The ban on smoking is applicable only in public places |
| The ban has been welcomed by one and all, especially | | | | and in other places which do not come within the |
| by the womenfolk, who have actually been suffering | | | | purview of public places, smoking is permitted and the |
| from such health hazards in public places. But the ban | | | | ban order is not clear-cut about it. For example in the |
| has got some drawbacks in its implementation. Since | | | | US, there are specific smoking areas, but the ban on |
| the ban on smoking is a Central act, the States need | | | | smoking in public places in India has not spelt out or |
| not enact a separate act to enforce the ban. But | | | | earmarked any such smoking areas. Again the ban |
| states like Maharashtra and Bihar are averse to in | | | | order on smoking in public places is primarily targeting |
| implementing the ban. Though in cities like Chennai | | | | only the towns and cities and it seems the villages are |
| smoking has come down significantly immediately after | | | | free from the ban order, perhaps under the impression |
| the ban, petty shops and cigarette dealers complain | | | | that villagers do not smoke. |
| that sale of cigarettes has come down drastically. For | | | | The ban order on smoking in public places in India |
| example in a busy petty shop situated in Annasalai, | | | | contemplates a fine amount of Rs 200/- to be |
| Chennai, which used to sell cigarettes worth about Rs | | | | imposed on those people who violate the ban order. |
| 1,200/- in a few hours in the morning, managed to sell | | | | But the ban order is not clear-cut enough, whether fine |
| cigarettes only for a sum of Rs 180/- throughout the | | | | amount should be spent for implementing the order or |
| day on which ban came into force. | | | | it should go to any other fund. For an effective |
| While the Union Health Ministry is fighting tooth and nail | | | | implementation of the order, the Indian Government |
| for the ban of smoking in the public places which may | | | | should come out with some stringent, specific and |
| certainly affect the sale of cigarettes and the cigarette | | | | clear-cut guidelines removing the above said lacunas. |
| manufacturing companies like ITC Limited, it remains to | | | | Otherwise, the ban order on smoking in public places in |
| be seen what the other Ministry dealing with Tobacco | | | | India will remain only in paper and gradually go into |
| Board of India, a Central Government Sponsored | | | | oblivion. |
| Organisation, is going to do, whose aim is to promote | | | | |