Stubbed out for life?

The Times of India

July 31, 2007


News- Stubbed out for life?

The impending non-smoking ban by the government in public is ready to kick some butt! In the wake of London banning smoking in public on July 1, Indian Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss wants to make India a tobacco-free nation too.

Smoking kills, but no smoking is killing smoke addicts in the city, believes Ramadoss. With his statement, the government will soon take stringent measures against smoking at all public places — bars, restaurants, offices and hotels or any place where there is an employee.

Even smoking at home in the presence of your spouse or domestic help might invite action from the government! Amitabh Bachchan is possibly the most famous non-smoker in the world and his son Abhishek, too, has stubbed out the nicotine stick (or Cuban cigar) in favour of a healthier lifestyle. India is the third-largest producer of tobacco leaves in the world, after China and Brazil.

Ninety-five billion cigarettes and 850 billion beedis are produced in India every year giving rise to millions of cancer patients. Ramadoss’s statement has generated a lot of heat amongst smokers and non-smokers across the city. Presenting some of the reactions:

Abhishek Bachchan, Actor — If you tell the youth today that cigarettes are bad, that's not enough. They need an explanation. My eight-year-old niece has an opinion on things. She wants to know why. For that matter, me too. I just won’t take your word for it. There should be restrictions in moderation otherwise we wouldn’t be a democracy or a free world. I can understand banning smoking in public places — it’s justifiable, but it’s pushing it a bit too far by not allowing one to smoke in one’s house or take consent for the same from people around you.

Nikhil Daswani, Businessman — It’s high time they did that. Passive smoking is killing non-smokers and I think the move is justified for health reasons. Passive smoking is killing innocent people across the world and as courtesy to your loved ones, one should smoke in open areas where their health is not at stake. Anjori Alagh, Actress — I think more than smoking they should ban drinking! There are more deaths in the world due to that.

Nirmal Zaveri, Jeweller — It’s absolutely absurd! Nowhere in the world can they do this. Everywhere else you can smoke in your house and cigar designated areas like cigar lounges at airports etc. I don’t think this law can come into force.

Rahul Akerkar, Restaurateur — Is there such a law? Everybody has a right to do what they want. I am not going tell my employees what to do — they are all adults. Though I will abide by the law when it comes into force.

Vipul Shah, Filmmaker — It’s ridiculous! According to me, it’s a big joke and this is going to go nowhere. Imagine your maid complaining against you to the government! We keep on adding more responsibilities to our society without fulfilling one-tenth of what is already there. There are so many unsolved problems in our country and a new one has surfaced. This is the silliest of all!


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