Govt to ban smoking in public places

Deputy chairperson Najma Heptullah and other speakers reminded the Minister that the proposed legislation should also address the future of tobacco growers in the country. F S Nariman said he was not in favour of a complete ban on smoking as it could render lakhs of tobacco growers in the country without a source of livelihood. Instead, he said, there was the need for increasing the awareness about the dangers of smoking. Smoking, he said causes about six lakh deaths every year in India alone.

Moving the Bill on November 24, Kartar Singh Duggal (nominated) had demanded a firm Central legislation to ban the use of tobacco in workplaces and public places.

Raja Ramanna, another nominated member, expressed serious concern about the growing trends of smoking among the youth and suggested that the concept of “harmless smoking” be introduced.

Lalitbhai Mehta (BJP) said India needed a comprehensive strategy to combat smoking including changes in duty free import baggage rule and advertisements of tobacco.

Suresh Pachori (Cong) said the Government should take a hard anti-smoking decision to check the menace even at the cost of suffering 12 per cent income loss from tobacco taxation. It is for the Government to take the initiative, he said.

Sarala Maheshwari (CPM) said the Government did not appear serious about a ban on smoking. Ban on the use of tobacco at public places should be assured all over the country in line with that in Delhi, Goa and Kerala, she said.

K. Ramamohan Rao (TDP) said people were attracted towards smoking because of its marketing and the Government should stop advertising about tobacco and other goods injurious to health.

Viduthalai Virumbi (DMK) said that by 2020, ten million people would die of cancer, 70 per cent of whom would be in the developing countries.

S S Ahluwalia (BJP) demanded ban on smoking in Air India flights.