Smoke free zone

With the law against the same already having been implemented in countries like Australia,Belgium,Brazil,Canada,Egypt,Hong Kong,New Zealand and Singapore,those behind the idea are very hopeful about India. According to Dr P C Gupta,Director of Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health,” In a study done by our institute,it was found that 97% people demanded the pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs and in yet another survey 68% showed high concern for the delay in implementation of the law. Hence I believe that the pictorial warnings initiative will greatly complement the mission of creating a tobacco-free environment. Also 92% respondents all over India and 96% in Mumbai strongly favoured regulations for making all workplaces and public places in India smoke-free.”

When most producers and directors tend to glamorize the act of smoking and some of them defend it as creative freedom,Ghajini has a scene scene showing smoking ban in public places. Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health sent a letter of appreciation to Aamir Khan Productions Pvt Ltd applauding him for the scene in his latest blockbuster hit

Dr. P.C. Gupta,Director,Healis – Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health,Mumbai says,”When a celebrity smokes publicly or in a movie as a character,he/she not only violates the law but also influences the fans to start consuming tobacco. The research shows 52% children have their first puff of cigarette after watching a celebrity light up!”

Less than 3 months of the ban on smoking in public places,the FDA claims to have collected a fine of 5,79,925 Rs till November 2008 from those found breaking the rule in Maharashtra,among the biggest collected from a state in the country.

The ban on smoking in public places was already in place since 2004 but it did not provide the expected results. The Central gov­ernment had reinforced the ban on smoking in public,which was imposed under the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules,2008; the ban came into force from October 2. With the help of 250 FDA officials and support of police personnel,fines were successfully collected.

Mohan Patankar,Jt. Commissioner FDA,says,”This ban was long introduced in 2004 and we did our best to fine the offenders even then. The collections from 2004-2008 (July) amounted to 2,55,000 Rs as against 5,79,925 Rs in just 4 months (Aug- Nov 08).Due to increased awareness and support from police personnel,we have noticed significant reduction in such instances. Easy availability of challans and receipts has also facilitated the process; it can be downloaded from the net for HR administrators and other competent authorities.”

A lot of research has been done on the warnings before the implementation. Survey reports have shown that graphic warnings are more effective than text in changing the mindset of smokers,especially among lower-income groups. Smokers themselves agree that they get a lot of information regarding the risks of smoking from the tobacco product package. Moreover,people who smoke a lot are exposed to images printed on packs at least twenty times a day. Thus,there can be twenty opportunities per day to convey the anti-smoking message to a regular smoker.

These studies reflect a positive picture of the future. But the big question is – why do these people need reminders and warnings? If people understand the whole thing so clearly then what is the need of such pictorial warnings? This well-meaning idea will bear fruit only if it changes the mindset of at least a single smoker and the person quits smoking.