9 Sep :The Government on Tuesday announced that smoking would be banned in all public places from 2nd October.The ban would include hotels, restaurants and offices, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said in New Delhi on Tuesday.If someone is caught smoking, then a fine of Rs 200 would be imposed on that person in accordance with the National Tobacco Control Act.
"Though in the beginning, the fine would be only Rs 200, we will try to amend the act in the future, after which the fine can be increased to Rs 1,000 and the employer can also be fined if somebody is found smoking within the office premises," Ramadoss said inaugurating a tobacco workshop in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Apart from this, the minister said the Government has also issued notifications to make pictorial warnings compulsory on all tobacco products from 1st December.To begin with, the pictorial warnings would be those cleared by the Group of Ministers and would cover 40 percent of the product covers, but after around one year, more pictures can be brought in, he said.
The Government is also making the fight against tobacco an integral part of the school health programme."According to a WHO study, around 14.1 percent of school going children are using some or the other form of tobacco, which is very worrisome," Ramadoss said.
The Government had notified pictorial warnings to be carried on tobacco products last month after clearance by the Group of Ministers.Govt now looking at tobacco cultivation Having taken proactive steps like banning smoking in public places and putting pictorial warnings on tobacco products, the Government is now looking at addressing the root cause of the problem — tobacco cultivation.
The Union Health Ministry in consultation with the Ministries of Labour and Commerce is trying to introduce alternate cropping patterns for people growing tobacco, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"A lot of countries across the world are trying this arrangement," he said.He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also asked the Labour Ministry to explore alternative employment for bidi workers.
The Government is also trying to set up tobacco testing labs which will determine the amount of nicotine content in any product."One such lab already exists in Ahmedabad. We are soon planning to set up a big lab in Delhi as well as in three IITs including the one at Chennai," Ramadoss said.
Apart from this, the Government is also setting up around 100 cessation clinics in the country in a bid to help smokers who want to quit.These cessation clinics would be set up at all district hospitals also, Ramadoss said adding private hospitals would also be provided funds to set up clinics.
The Health Minister said he had written to state governments seeking their support in the matter. "States like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand have already pledged their support," he added.
I am Vincent Nazareth, Chairman, Crusade Against Tobacco – a branch of
the Neil Charitable Trust, Mumbai (9821161752).
I find that many of the people who are habitually chewers of tobacco
do not see the warning.
What is important is that the newcomers to tobacco i.e. the children
should not take tobacco.
But it is verysad that many children are having tobacco i.e schoo,
children – both bos and girls are smoking, chewing tobacco, hookah
(which is the new fashion) of today.
I had met about 10 MPs last month and through them letters were
written to the Prime Minister, and the Hon’ble Education Minister that
a chapter of tobacco should be added in the school curriculum right
from the 6th standard till the 10th standard and even upto the college
level alongwith photographs of what happens to people who consume
tobacco.
I would like to bring to your notice that when I show school children
photographs of what happens to people who consume tobacco they put
their heads down and they also tell me that it is the first time that
they are seeing photographs of what happens to people who consume
tobacco.
I would like to mention that oene of the Principals of the Kendraya
Vidyala, Mumbai of whom Mr Sibal, the HRD Minister since she had
written a letter to the Prime Minister, she has been asked to give an
explanation and I think a memo has also bee issued to her. I think so
the Press should take up the issue withthe Hon’ble HRD Minister.
I would also like to mention here that vendors all over India are
selling tobacco related products to children below the age of 18 years
even though they should not do so.
I would also like to mention that drug peddlers are roaming round the
vicinity of the school/colleges.
The photograph which appeared in the article The National June 08.
2009 1:47AM UAE is a friend of mine who alongwith me punished the
person for smoking in a public place.
I think purposelly in the Tobacco Act, any person who violates the
Act, has to pay only Rs.200/-. Students have written to the Hon’ble
Minister (Health)< New Delhi through their letters forwarded through
the MP that any vendor caught selling tobacco related products to any
child below the age of 18 years should be made a cognizable offence.
I am awaiting their reply.
Regards
(Vincent Nazareth)
Chairman
Crusade Against Tobacco – a branch of the Neil Charitable Trust
Mumbai
Received World Health Organisation in the year 2004