Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

No smoking

The decision to ban smoking in public places is welcome. Smoke from cigarettes is only one of the health hazards. What about the diseases and pollution caused by other nuisance such as throwing waste at public places indiscriminately and spitting? The same government machinery may be used to check these hazards as well at no extra cost. The fines collected may be used to provide more dustbins, hygienic toilets and systems to remove garbage efficiently.

S.R. Varma

Haripad

Kudos to the Central and State governments for implementing the ban on smoking in public places. Smokers cause harm not only to themselves but also to their brethren.

S Mahesh,

Tiruchi

In the adulation the ban on smoking (in public places) receives in the media, an inconvenient truth remains either unknown or unreported. Do we know that India is the only country that has a government-sponsored Tobacco Board? Established in 1976 under the Tobacco Board Act of 1975, it has since grown in size and reach. Its aim is to work towards “planned development of tobacco industry in India.” While one ministry spends millions on encouraging tobacco production, another spends millions aimed at discouraging tobacco consumption. Incredible.

S.Ganesan,

Hyderabad

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