NEW DELHI: India kicked the butt on October 2 as the ban on smoking in public places came into force with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss staving off criticism of the move, saying he was just "doing his job".
A pet project of the Health Minister, the ban on smoking would cover hotels, restaurants, pubs, offices and even international airports. While a majority of states are enthusiastic about implementing the ban, few like Maharashtra and Bihar have shown reluctance in doing so.
Jharkhand, Delhi and Chandigarh are some states which have already begun implementing the ban. Ramadoss has already run into a war of words with many personalities including Shahrukh Khan who advised him to concentrate on issues of other importance like rural health.
He has also advised West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to quit smoking at least in the Writer's Building. "Ninety per cent of the population in India is non-smoking. Why should they suffer because of the smokers," Ramadoss said adding, "as a health minister, it is my job".
"It is not a publicity stunt. Wherever it has been implemented abroad, there have been startling results," he said. In a tongue-in-cheek comment, Shahrukh Khan said, "it is a good step to make sure that the country is smoke free.
Better step would be to ban cigarettes, make them illegal and hang any one who is smoking. We cannot do that as we are a democratic country." However, Ramadoss said that everybody should follow the ban.
"I hope everyone call upon their good self to do it. I myself would try my best," he added. Any violation of the ban is a punishable offence with a fine up to Rs 200.
In Delhi where a ban on smoking in public places has already been in force, the administration has fined 1,131 people for smoking in the capital till July 31 this year. On implementation of the ban, the Health Minister said, "Initially we might have some teething problems, but it will be implemented.
There has been huge public support for this". Ramadoss went on to say that he would also like to ban the sale of tobacco, but as the health minister he did not have the authority to do so. However, as expected, not all smokers are happy with the move.
"This is a senseless and draconian ban. When you are stressed during work and you just want to de-stress yourself. Now, you have no other option," Rajiv Kumar, a software engineer, says. Pub and restaurant owners also feel that the government rushed into such a measure without giving enough time for them to arrange space for "smoking zones".
The Centre, meanwhile, is also not "so sure" about the implementing agencies of the ban. While anybody can complain to authorities concerned if a person is found smoking, there is no hard and fast rule as to where the Rs 200 fine would be deposited.
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