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A pet project of Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, the ban on smoking would cover hotels, restaurants, pubs, offices and even international airports.
While a majority of states are enthusiastic about implementing the ban, few like Maharashtra and Bihar have shown reluctance in doing so.
According to Ramadoss, Jharkhand, Delhi and Chandigarh are some states which have already begun implementing the ban.
The Health Minister has run into a war of words with many personalities including Shah Rukh Khan who advised him to concentrate on issues of other importance like rural health.
He has also advised West Bengal Chief Minister Budhdadeb Bhattacharya to quit smoking at least in the Writers’ Building.
In a tongue and cheek comment, Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday said, “it is a good step to make sure that the country is smoke free. Better step would be to ban cigarettes, make them illegal and hang anyone who is smoking. We cannot do that as we are a democratic country.”
However, he said he think that everybody should follow the ban. “I hope everyone call upon their good self to do it.
I myself would try my best,” he added.
Any violation of the ban is a punishable offence with fine up to Rs 200.
In Delhi, the ban on smoking in public places is already there. The administration has fined 1,131 people for smoking in the capital till July 31 this year.
Bus stands, cinema houses and several other places in Chennai turned tobacco free as people refrained from smoking following the enforcement of the ban.
From the early hours of the day, police and transport officials were seen warning the smokers in public places, including bus stops and suburban railway stations.
Murugan, a shop owner near the busy T Nagar bus stand in Chennai, who usually made a roaring sales of cigarettes in the early hours, said there was only 15 per cent sales this morning.
He said he used to sell cigarettes worth Rs 1,200 from six am to 10 am. But today he managed to sell cigarettes worth Rs 180 only, he said.
Chennai Police said for the first few days, it would be only warning and educating. However, from next week onwards, stringent steps would be taken.
Union Health Ministry issued a notification on May 30 for the ban under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution), Act 2003.
The ban has evoked mixed response from smokers and non-smokers with some calling it a “draconian” measure while others consider it a “god-send” gift that may help them in bringing down the intake of nicotine and reduce cutting a hole in their wallets.
“It is good for smokers, at least they will smoke less.
It is good for the pocket as you buy less cigarettes as well as for your health,” says Chandrakumar, who could not quit smoking despite taking several “New Year resolutions”.
A top official with a Central Ministry, who requested anonymity, says it is a “god-send gift” which would help him quit the habit of lighting up rolled-up tobacco whenever he is in stress.
But not all smokers are amused by the move. “This is a senseless and draconian ban. When you are stressed during work and you just want to de-stress yourself. Now, you have no other option,” Rajiv Kumar, a software engineer, says.
Pub and restaurant owners also feel that the government rushed into such a measure without giving enough time for them to arrange space for “smoking zones”.
The Centre, meanwhile, is also not “so sure” about the implementing agencies of the ban. While anybody can complain to authorities concerned if a person is found smoking, there is no hard and fast rule as to where the Rs 200 fine would be deposited.
Ramadoss, however, said the states have been given two options -- one is to use the money for tobacco control programme and the other is to deposit it in the state treasury in line with the fine amounts for traffic violations.
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As Shah Rukh Khan said, the real issue is rural health, not all this. And if really interested in curtailing smoking, why not ban cigarettes? Instead of doing all that, why these cosmetic changes? This is just an hypocritical measure, aimed at pleasing the unthinking middle class, who just want some meaningless action and no real change, always...And at least have a smokers zone, if you are allowing cigarettes to be sold !!! Smoking (and dying because of it) is a personal choice we are forced to make given the fact that cigarettes are available so freely. I am sure that smokers may not want to disturb the public with their smoking. But the public need to give them a separate space/zone to exercise their choice, without banning smoking altogether, because after all you are giving them all the reasons/opportunities to exercise a choice, by making cigarettes legal.
Its a nice start - but there is a long way to go. In places like Singapore, such a law was enforced LONG LONG ago, but took time to sink in. It will take even more time in India, but, that should not be an excuse to not place such bans. Non-smokers: Please walk up to a smoker and let them know that their smoking troubles you; don't bear it. This will go a long way in inculcating responsible smoking. 100% enforcement is just not possible to to this.
Banning cigarette smoking in any country is pure hypocrisy. If it is bad product, why it can be manufactured and sold. Let us stop its manufacturing and sale completely. Shah Rukh Khan is right.
Ban on smoking in public area is all fine but why in pubs and restaurants?those who dont want to sit in such a restaurant where smoking is allowed can move out please.because its all about getting personal,how can a habit be changed this soon. and health minister saab tell us the place where we can smoke.never suggest home please.atleast you would have given the options for restaurants and pubs.
Lets Attack the Roots as well smoking can be curbed by banning it in public places but can we also ponder over some other aspects : Why manufacture ?....why import.....? and why "Duty -Free" cigarettes ...?????
instead of hanging any one who smokes why not we hang any one who takes bribes and practices racism known as caste system
The ban on smoking will serve one purpose without fail in every state, where implemented. The police will get another reason to bully people and strip them of their money by "settling" the issue before the "Inspector saab" arrives! Now they don't have to roam around parks in the dark to "catch" couples!! Or sweat away on the road catching traffic violaters.
I am really against the views of Mr. Samar. Govt. is doing its best in improving the health related facilities in India. Yes, it could have been better if govt had banned the cigarette selling itself. Govt. is not penalizing those who sell/manufacture cigarettes, its better to cut the roots of cause first then we should think of improvements
MARK TWAIN, THE FAMOUS HUMOURIST, ONCE REMARKED, "ITS SO EASY TO GIVE UP SMOKING; I HAVE DONE IT SO MANY TIMES." I AM SURE PEOPLE SHALL, SOONER OR LATER DO EXACTLY THAT. ABANDONING A VICE CAN'T BE FORCED DOWN BY LEGISLATION - ITS GOT TO COME FROM WITHIN. REMEMBER WHEN FATHER USED TO ADMONISH US FROM DOING SOME THING, BUT DID WE FOLLOW HIS ADVICE? ON THE CONTRARY, WE USED TO BECOME ADAMANT. BUT AS GROWN UPS, TODAY, WE HAVE REALISED THE NEED TO GIVE UP AND WE HAVE DONE SO. YES, I USED TO BE A VIRTUAL CHAIN SMOKER IN MY YOUNGER DAYS AND NEVER CARED FOR THE ADVICE OF PARENTS AND PEERS. BUT TODAY, FOR THE LAST MORE THAN NINE YEARS, I HAVEN'T SMOKED. THAT'S WHY I SAY THE URGE TO GIVE UP HAS TO COME FROM WITHIN.
Its high time that non smokers right for pollution free air is respected. It not only is injuries to one self and others in vicinity but costs lot specially to the poor people.Along with this chewing pan should also be banned.
For educated country like USA may be smoking ban is OK. But why should uneducated indian masses not allowed to smoke. They would at least die soon. And we will have better educated country.
a bold step which must be taken in right sense.......a positive step for at least all nonsmokers........if someone wanna smoke he/she must do this in a responsible manner so tht it will not effect others n this law will help in attaining the same......there is nothing so called draconian in it.
This is a very sensible issue taken up by the health minister.
Even though there are million other things to take care of by the health minstry, this is also one very important step to cut down the pressure on public health infrastructure. This is one of the best things i have heard carried out by a politician. Root causes for many diseases among poor include smoking and drinking. The next to be attacked should be liqour.
just tell me one thing mr ramdoss if u r so much aware of the public health then why dont u ban ciggs in the country.But u cant do this since from these ciggs u collect tax.If u cant ban cigrattes then why r u doin this drama.Moreover this type of bans are only goin to help police.They are just goin to get 300-400 more.Smokers r goin to pufff away the ban with the 1st cigg of d day.
People should realise that Rama Doss is not asking anything which other countries have not done. In all developed countries, public smoking is banned in all public places. What is wrong if we enforce people to respect other's health and obey the laws. In fact, no one wants laws in India and even the Chief Minister of Delhi wants people not to obey the laws since she is too old to enforce them. But India has become a civilised country and need to enforce its own laws. If some film stars can't control their urges, they can pay the fines. Some people do not pay even the income tax, don't we enforce the laws?
need to banish idiots like SRK and Big idiot B from media..,, only then you can expect some respect from them.
Ban on smoking should be strictly enforced. it is upto the Govt. who are to do so. Strict action shoud be taken against the Govt. emloyees who fail to enforce law or those who are found smoking.Their annual increments should be stopped. THE govt. should also ban sale of cigrets at the public places.
thanks for attention
Kudos to Mr. Ramadoss for the bold and intelligent step taken against smoking in public places. Just hope the concerned authorities are sincere in implementing the rule and not make this law another means to earn a few extra bucks! Dismayed to read Shahrukh Khan commenting against the new ban. At least he could have stayed away from this by just keeping mum. Wonder if he raised his voice when north Indians were mistreated in Maharashtra recently. Once again, thanks Mr. Ramadoss for the good job.
There are a million issues under the health Ministry. Ramadoss is acting SO FOOLISH by just concentrating on this one. I dont care if people smoke infront of me or not. But I do care when milions die because they dont get proper health care facilities. Wake up Ramadoss, dont smell the coffee or the cigarette smoke, Open your eyes and see the millions dying. HE IS A FOOL....the only thing he can do is put roses in his hair. Maybe he can get over his "happy" self and do something for the country.
Administration and people will forget this rule within a month and smoking in public will be as usual.we can't be sensible at all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grow up,SRK...please......you are no longer a 22 year old who needs to defy everything and try stupid one liners all the time only to be noticed as "different". Look how resposible Saif has been on the smoking issue. Time for you to grow up from K..K.KK iran etc.and stop dyeing your hair too.
It's time idiots like Sharukh and Amitabh are shown the right place in the community. They need to emulate actors in Hollywood like Paul Newman,Angelina in their community services.
This is a good step by Mr. Ramados. I myself was a chain smoker but had the will to quit. This ban if successful will help a very long way. In addition it already has given enough knowledge to people about the ill effects of smoking. Consider the better health of people, less medical expenses in long run, less burden on Hospitals and so on...... Good Job Mr. Ramados.
I think Ramados should BAN Gay's in India before banning smoking!