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Experts support anti-smoking law

NEW DELHI: Welcoming the rule notified under Section 4 of the Indian Tobacco Control Act, 2003, which prohibits smoking at public places, including indoor workplaces to be enforced from October 2, health experts say they strongly support this robust law that is in the interest of public health and have resolved to make a committed effort to ensure timely and effective enforcement and monitor violations.

Stating that tobacco smoke was a lethal weapon, Public Health Foundation of India president K. Srinath Reddy said “Second hand smoke is an indiscriminate and inconsiderate assault on the health of non-smokers. There is scientific evidence of the deadly diseases caused by passive smoking. Many countries have introduced and implemented laws to provide protection from this and these measures have already been shown to reduce the risk to non-smokers and even to smokers. It is high time that India, too, implements such laws to protect people of all ages from the hazards of involuntary smoking.”

Many countries including Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and United Kingdom have successfully implemented smoke-free laws in their jurisdictions. India as a ratifying party to the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is expected to enforce this law.

A voluntary organisation engaged in awareness, advocacy and research related to tobacco control, Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth director Monika Arora said: “These laws also aim to protect non-smoking workers at workplaces and workers engaged in the hospitality industry who do not have a choice but to inhale the smoke of colleagues and customers who smoke in their presence.”

Health Bridge programme director Shoba John added: “Going smoke-free is popular and life saving for employers, employees, smokers and non-smokers. ”

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