NEW DELHI, JUNE 5: Many members in the Rajya Sabha today demanded a ban on smoking in public places in the entire country and suggested that Parliament House be made a non-smoking area to begin with.The attention of the members to the hazardous effects of smoking and tobacco chewing was drawn through a special mention by Shatrughan Sinha (BJP) who reeled out statistics to show that the tobacco-related human deaths would surpass all the deaths in the world by the year 2020.
Kamla Sinha (Janata Dal), was joined by many members in demanding a total ban on smoking in the Parliament building.
Chairman Krishna Kant advised the members to approach their parties which would in turn meet the presiding officers of the two Houses to facilitate a decision.
He said it would not be proper for the Upper House alone to pass a resolution in this regard as demanded by some members.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
