Post Reply 
 
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Indian ban on smoking in public
10-03-2008, 05:00 AM
Post: #1
Indian ban on smoking in public
By Geeta Pandey
A ban on smoking tobacco in public has come into force in India.

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss says he aims to cut the number of smokers and to protect passive smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco.

The government says India has more than 120 million cigarette smokers. Observers say the ban will need to be strictly enforced.

Those flouting it face fines of 200 rupees ($4.50). Tobacco smoking in India kills 900,000 people a year.

That figure is expected to rise to a million by 2010.


India's health ministry says hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year by inhaling smoke from other people's cigarettes and bidis (small hand-rolled cigarettes common in India).

"From 2 October India is going to go smoke-free in all public places," Mr Ramadoss said.

"The aim is to discourage the smokers, to make them quit or reduce smoking. Also all non-smoking employees have a right to a 100% smoke-free atmosphere.

"The perils of passive smoking are equally bad."

'Teething problems'

Health experts say passive smoking contains more than 4,000 chemicals and exposure can cause lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and asthma.


PUBLIC PLACES DEFINED
Auditoriums, cinema halls
Hospitals, health institutions
Railway stations, bus shelters
Restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs
Offices, libraries, courts
Markets, shopping malls
Airports
Discotheques, coffee houses
Schools, colleges, fun parks


In the capital, Delhi, no-smoking notices have been posted at many office buildings, restaurants and hotels.

The government has provided an exhaustive list of what it deems to be public spaces as well as officials who have the authority to fine law-breakers.

People will still be able to smoke inside their homes, and in open areas.

The health minister says he has written to all state governments asking them to ensure the ban is observed.

Legislation to outlaw smoking in public in India was first passed in 2003.

A ban was supposed to have taken effect in 2004, but it has taken four more years to work out guidelines before it could be implemented.


Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Indians discuss public smoking ban

Many say the new regulations will need strict enforcement to be effective.

Thursday - the first day of the ban - is a public holiday in India with offices and most markets closed and it will be some time before the first violations will be reported.

Some say they believe the law will be used by the police and other authorities to harass people.

The health minister admits there will be "teething problems".

Campaign

But he says the "smoke-free campaign is a movement launched with massive public support" and he is confident that it will succeed.

"I expect there will be problems, but it will be done. I appeal to the people to please do self-policing and abide by the act."

To raise public awareness about the ban, the health ministry is running a publicity campaign in newspapers and on television and radio and billboards.

A new website is also being launched on Thursday to provide information about the ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7645868.stm
Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread: Author Replies: Views: Last Post
  Public hearing on Metro Bus Project Salman 0 4,408 03-19-2014 02:54 PM
Last Post: Salman
  Public parks in pathetic condition Salman 0 3,449 06-29-2012 07:48 PM
Last Post: Salman
  Pindi to have new modern public park Lahore_Real_Estate 0 2,981 10-10-2011 02:10 PM
Last Post: Lahore_Real_Estate
  Smoking Kills LRE 0 3,126 01-09-2011 09:58 PM
Last Post: LRE
  indian extremists, indian army & WikiLeaks LRE 1 6,087 12-17-2010 06:44 PM
Last Post: LRE
  indian attacks, cia, mossad & indian ib LRE 0 4,134 05-08-2010 02:57 PM
Last Post: LRE
  Public Accounts Committee in Action LRE 0 3,622 04-30-2010 09:56 AM
Last Post: LRE
  indian army chief puts indian army @ alert! LRE 0 4,752 04-25-2010 01:34 PM
Last Post: LRE
  Democracy, Govt & Public (Javed Ch) LRE 0 3,507 03-28-2010 12:07 AM
Last Post: LRE
  indian water Aggression against Pakistan; Scenerio After indian Dams Completion LRE 0 4,531 03-21-2010 03:58 PM
Last Post: LRE
  Journalists, Public and problems of Public LRE 0 3,365 02-14-2010 06:23 PM
Last Post: LRE
  Indian military to get 'bigger role' in Afghanistan: Indian media Naveed Yaseen 0 3,548 09-10-2009 08:13 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  First public offering after 10 months LahoreEstate 0 3,090 09-05-2009 08:05 AM
Last Post: LahoreEstate
  Passive smoking exposure increases risk of Osteoporosis Naveed Yaseen 0 3,314 08-08-2009 06:04 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Govt imposes complete ban on smoking in public places Naveed Yaseen 0 3,107 07-27-2009 06:56 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Public transport route 138 opened Naveed Yaseen 0 3,298 07-10-2009 07:57 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  Terrorism, GORs & Public LRE 1 3,239 06-25-2009 10:57 AM
Last Post: LRE
  Corruption rampant in notary public Naveed Yaseen 0 3,198 05-18-2009 11:24 AM
Last Post: Naveed Yaseen
  May 12 declared a public holiday LRE 0 2,609 05-10-2009 07:57 AM
Last Post: LRE
  Pakistan tops South Asian countries in smoking LahoreEstate 0 3,229 03-30-2009 06:12 AM
Last Post: LahoreEstate

Forum Jump:


User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)