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Friday, Oct 03, 2008
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Smoking ban: focus on awareness

Special Correspondent

On day one, about 140 persons found lighting up were warned and let off

Modalities of imposing penalty to be worked out
Hotels put up ‘no smoking’ signboards

CHENNAI: The smokers’ tradition of a cuppa and a cigarette at roadside tea shops came under the threat of extinction with a nationwide ban on smoking in public places coming into force on Thursday.

Day one of the implementation of the ban, personally led by Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss in Chennai, was largely welcomed by the public with the odd voice of dissent from the hardcore smoker.

The comprehensive rules pertaining to ‘Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008’ were notified on May 30 on the basis of ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.’

About 140 persons found smoking were warned and let off.

City Commissioner of Police R. Sekar said police were focussing on mobilising awareness of smoking ban. “Since too many agencies are currently involved in imposing penalties, we have to work out the modalities,” he said.

Coordination meetings

T. S. Selvavinayagam, coordinator for tobacco control programmes, Department of Health, said the department would soon initiate coordination meetings between the multiple agencies involved in awareness and enforcement of the ban.

Meanwhile, hotels have put up ‘no smoking’ signboards requesting guests to cooperate. Chennai’s clubs were left confused over whether they would come under the purview of the ban as their places were strictly for members.

Business as usual

It was, however, business as usual at a tea shop on Anna Salai.

“Cigarette sale averages around Rs. 2,000 and today was more or less the same,” the vendor said.

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