Hang anyone who smokes, says Shah Rukh

While a majority of states are enthusiastic about implementing the ban, few like Maharashtra and Bihar have shown reluctance in doing so.

According to Ramadoss, Jharkhand, Delhi and Chandigarh are some states which have already begun implementing the ban.

The Health Minister has run into a war of words with many personalities including Shah Rukh Khan who advised him to concentrate on issues of other importance like rural health.

He has also advised West Bengal Chief Minister Budhdadeb Bhattacharya to quit smoking at least in the Writers’ Building.

In a tongue and cheek comment, Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday 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 anyone who is smoking. We cannot do that as we are a democratic country.”

However, he said he think 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 fine up to Rs 200.

In Delhi, the ban on smoking in public places is already there. The administration has fined 1,131 people for smoking in the capital till July 31 this year.

Bus stands, cinema houses and several other places in Chennai turned tobacco free as people refrained from smoking following the enforcement of the ban.

From the early hours of the day, police and transport officials were seen warning the smokers in public places, including bus stops and suburban railway stations.

Murugan, a shop owner near the busy T Nagar bus stand in Chennai, who usually made a roaring sales of cigarettes in the early hours, said there was only 15 per cent sales this morning.

He said he used to sell cigarettes worth Rs 1,200 from six am to 10 am. But today he managed to sell cigarettes worth Rs 180 only, he said.

Chennai Police said for the first few days, it would be only warning and educating. However, from next week onwards, stringent steps would be taken.

Union Health Ministry issued a notification on May 30 for the ban under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution), Act 2003.

The ban has evoked mixed response from smokers and non-smokers with some calling it a “draconian” measure while others consider it a “god-send” gift that may help them in bringing down the intake of nicotine and reduce cutting a hole in their wallets.

“It is good for smokers, at least they will smoke less.

It is good for the pocket as you buy less cigarettes as well as for your health,” says Chandrakumar, who could not quit smoking despite taking several “New Year resolutions”.

A top official with a Central Ministry, who requested anonymity, says it is a “god-send gift” which would help him quit the habit of lighting up rolled-up tobacco whenever he is in stress.

But not all smokers are amused by 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.

Ramadoss, however, said the states have been given two options — one is to use the money for tobacco control programme and the other is to deposit it in the state treasury in line with the fine amounts for traffic violations.