Panaji (PTI): As the Union Health Ministry's ban on smoking in public places evokes mixed reactions from across the country, Goa's multi-million tourism industry sees no reason to worry about the move.

"The ban will not affect tourism as people are already aware of it," Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Ralf D'Souza told PTI.

When the Centre was considering the ban, the tourism industry here had kept its fingers crossed with apprehensions it could deter tourists who arrive in the state for leisure.

D'Souza, who heads the body of tour operators bringing in international clients, however, is not perturbed over the ban which has come into effect from October 2.

He said since Goa already had its own anti-smoking legislation in place, the implementation of the Central act should not be a hassle. "If you go as per the Central Government Act, you are allowed to smoke in the open."

The exclusion of places like parks and beaches in the Act is a major relief for the tourism industry, the lifeline of Goa's economy. Almost 90 per cent of visitors to Goa visit beaches.

The anti-smoking Act, whose implementation will be monitored by a special task force headed by a bureaucrat, is likely to receive flak from two major quarters - beach shacks and casinos, which come under the ban.

Beach shack owners have already expressed disappointment over the law which, according to them, would 'shoo away' customers for whom a drink and a smoke generally go together.