The Hindu Business Line : Ban on smoking in public places

Honestly, the proposed ban on smoking may not take off at all for a variety of reasons, call them problems or hurdles. The reasons are not far to seek. First and foremost, the authority announcing the ban is not going to assume the responsibility for enforcement. Next, we invariably tend to revel in opposing anything forced on us. In fact, it is considered by many as an act of bravado or heroism to go against the ban, even if they realise that the ban is for the good of th e smoker and the society.

Considering the population of our country, unless we police ourselves, it is not practically possible to nab or proceed against the violators. In many cases, the perpetrators of indiscipline are the people who are saddled with the task of enforcing the ban. In fact, we have so many problems and burning issues on hand that people may not take this announcement seriously.

Given the vote politics that prevails in our country, political parties will have second thoughts on supporting the ban in letter and spirit. Let’s not forget, the announcement has been made in India and not in Singapore, so anyone violating the ban can get away without any fear, given the loopholes in law and the level of corruption prevalent in our country. The ban will be only on paper, no doubt on that.

M.S. Vaidyanathan, Chennai

R. Swaminathan, Chennai

We oppose any law affecting us. The politicians often don’t follow what they preach. When helmet was made compulsory for two-wheeler riders, it was not implemented strictly. So banning of smoking in public places should be strictly implemented.

R. Swaminathan, Chennai

Smoking is injurious to one’s health. The smoke affects lungs and both passive and active smokers are affected. In the US, smoking is banned in public places. In India, there may be difficulty in enforcing the ban, due to shortage of police personnel. People are not educated and the literacy rate is low in India. Some people drink spurious liquor, knowing well that they will be affected. If one gets addicted to a bad habit, it is very difficult to give up. Spitting in public places is common in India, while it is not so in developed countries. A lot of campaigns are needed to publicise the evils of smoking, liquor and spitting in public places.

V. Ramjee, e-mail

T. V. Jayaprakash, Palakkad

The ban on smoking at public places, intended to be enforced strictly from October 2, will affect people in various ways. First of all, it reminds one that “rules are meant to be broken.” For a group of people, especially non-smokers, it brings relief.

T.V. Jayaprakash, Palakkad

We cannot expect people to quit smoking or change their habits overnight. Unless every smoker realises that smoking is really injurious to health it will not help things. In many countries they have separate zones for smoking and we must also try to follow that rather than banning it altogether.

Venkataratnam S. e-mail

The decision to impose ban on smoking in public places should be welcomed. The ban will go a long way in controlling the pollution. But enforcement of the ban will be a gigantic task, given the work that is involved. For the States to implement it strictly, they need to appoint an enforcement agency. This may involve more cost for the States and they may demand more funds from the Centre.

The best way to deal with the issue would be to educate all children about the bad effects of smoking so that they will never pick up the habit when they grow up.

Dr K.K. Ammannaya, Udupi

Though smoking causes cancer, more than 20 per cent of Indians smoke. Enforcing a ban will be hard unless a multi-pronged approach is adopted. Countries like Singapore and the US have laws banning smoking in public places. In India, we see very few signs in public places. The State Governments should post signs and pass a Bill banning smoking in public places. People who are found smoking should be fined on the spot.

We see very few celebrities spreading the no smoking message. Hence the reach and power of media should be fully exploited to spread the awareness among people. Apart from these a free hotline can be created for smokers to help them quit smoking. Periodic smoking cessation camps can also be organised for the public.

Priya Ravi, e-mail

The experience of States like Kerala shows that the ban can be effectively enforced in public places. Smoking in public places can lead to people smoking inside their houses, which may affect the health of the other members in the family.

G.G. Menon, Udupi

It may be difficult to ban smoking, as we lack manpower to enforce them. Though people are aware that smoking is injurious to health, it find it difficult to overcome the habit.

Venkatraman Ramjee, e-mail

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