Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On smoking

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss’ appeal to cinema stars to quit smoking on screen is well meaning and in the interest of society. Superstars and cricket players have a huge fan following, especially among the most impressionable group — the youth. The power of the visual media being what it is, their actions are bound to have a tremendous impact on young minds. These multi-millionaires should have a sense of gratitude. They should pay back to society from which they have got so much.

K.N. Krishnan,

Bangalore

Acting falls in the public domain and actors cannot claim unlimited freedom as a matter of right. In a film-crazy and hero-worshipping nation like ours, cine stars should maintain a socially correct and upright image at least in public. Let our stars study the life and career of M.G. Ramachandran who is still remembered for his films which resonated with socially progressive themes.

V.N. Mukundarajan,

Thiruvananthapuram

There are many youngsters who look up to Shahrukh Khan and others as heroes. Everyone knows smoking is bad for health and addictive. Shouldn’t they behave in a manner that has a good influence on the people?

D. Arpana,

Coonoor

Smoking is injurious to health and it is in our own interest to desist from it. But the argument that heroes should not smoke on the silver screen as it may influence young viewers to imitate them is unacceptable. It presumes that all young people are mindless creatures who cannot take decisions on their own. There is no harm in smoking on screen if the situation in a film warrants. We should be good. We can’t pretend to be good, can we?

R. Rukmini,

Chennai

If one has the habit of smoking and does so without causing annoyance to others, there is nothing wrong in it.

Mr. Khan knows about the undesirability of smoking. He himself admits that he does not want to justify or glorify smoking.

P.V. Divakaran,

Thrissur

There has been a lot of buzz in the country regarding the anti-smoking drive. There have been campaigns against smoking in various places, from universities to Bollywood. But government undertakings, it seems, are exempt.

In an advertisement released by BSNL to major dailies (Feb. 2), an old man sporting a traditional hookah finds a prominent place.

Naseer S. Bhat,

New Delhi

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