Finally the Union Health Joker of India has done something commendable. After targeting the likes of Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and not doing something concrete about the problem, he has now got the law passed to Ban Smoking in Public Places.
Some months ago I had called him the Union Health Joker of India and I still maintain that. IMAO this ban is a half hearted attempt against the problem; if they are so against it, ban the production and sale of cigarettes outside colleges.
However, I am pleased as having a law in place will act as a deterrent to some and will have some impact on the lives of those affected by passive smoking. At least now cigarettes won’t be adding to air pollution as much they did till last week.
PS: A Humble Plea. Break The Habit, Quit Smoking
October 5th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Manan, well it’s easy to say but to impose ban on tobacco production in a short period of time will have far reaching economic consequences. There are some really big tobacco cos. in India, they generate huge revenue as well as enermous employment. I would myself be happy the day tobacco production is stopped. But, it should be done carefully enough not to hurt the sentiments of the tobacco companies and people associated with it.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Heyya Mehul!
I am aware of that and therefore suggested methods in the linked post.
That is the reason why I call him the Health Joker.
If you want to stop/reduce smokers, stop the availability of cigarettes outside college. It’s painful to see the no. of people from 1st year engg/12th smoking. That is painful man, unawares they stand there puffing cigarette after cigarette.
Make the availability of cigs difficult and the consumption will drop.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:21 am
yeah, but thankfully something is being done. A ban or levying higher taxes will also require lots of deliberations by many people. this may take a long time, if at all it is done. So, till then we will have to be happy with the ban or do something ourselves.
October 5th, 2008 at 8:04 am
This time they are serious about the ban. Duno about other places, but in Chennai the Police Commissioner has issued a press conf. that they’ll be dealing the violators severely. On Oct. 2 some 140 people were caught lighting up but left off with a warning. All restaurants and pubs (but for TASMAC) are now smoke free.
Very good move by the govt.
October 5th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Well I don’t think it will change much. You’ll still find some idiots smoking in public places, offices, public transport.
I do hope it drops the sale of ciggies & helps us passive smokers to breathe clean air.
October 5th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Tobacco related products are not allowed to be sold within 100 meters radius of educational institutions… here in delhi its very much followed… atleast around my college
DU North Campus is a Tobacco Free Zone…
October 5th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Bombay too has the 100mtr regulation but the thing is that the pan walas find a corner not far from the college. Funny thing is that it also happens to be the hangout for teachers.
@Ashwin, my only fear is that the spirit should not die down in some weeks. This will take some time to come into place, till then these guys will have to make sure it is adhered to.
@Rajbir, very true and the worst part we can’t do much about it.
October 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
IMAO this ban is a half hearted attempt against the problem; if they are so against it, ban the production and sale of cigarettes outside colleges.
IMAO if they are so against smoking, ban the production/import/sale of cigarettes. PERIOD.
Yes, I know that the sale of cigarettes generates a lot of revenue and employment. The kind of money that the junta and the government spend on medical treatments for ailments due to smoking (active and passive) far outweighs the revenue earned.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
its better ban cigarette
October 7th, 2008 at 1:40 am
@Aditya that is the anomaly in the system. Let me explain:
Cigarettes – Manufacturing; sales = revenues+jobs
People suffering from Cigs= revenues to docs & hospitals.