Smoking in India
Smoking in India is prohibited since 2 October 2008. The nationwide smoke-free law pertains only to public places.
Places where smoking is restricted include auditoriums, movie theatres, hospitals, public transport (aircraft, buses, trains, metros, monorails, taxis) and their related facilities (airports, bus stands/stations, railway stations), restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, amusement centres, offices (government and private), libraries, courts, post offices, markets, shopping malls, canteens, refreshment rooms, banquet halls, discotheques, coffee houses, educational institutions and parks. Smoking is allowed on roads, inside one's home or vehicle.[1] However, Savitha SK, deputy health officer, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has said that the road is a public place and smoking in public places, including roads, is banned by law.[2] Smoking is also permitted in airports, restaurants, bars, pubs, discotheques and some other enclosed workplaces if they provide designated separate smoking areas.[3] Anybody violating this law will be charged with a fine of ₹200.[4] The sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions is also prohibited. Although this particular rule is seldom enforced.[5]
Law against advertising
The Cable Television Network (Regulation) Amendment Bill, in force since 8 September 2000, completely prohibits cigarette and alcohol advertisements.[6]
Hookah Law
The nationwide smoking ban did not prohibit consumption of hookah in hookah bars. However, several cities in India have banned consumption of hookah in hookah bars. Police raids usually focus on punishing the owners and operators of hookah bars rather than the customers. Customers are usually fined while owners may face stiff fines and/or jail time. It is still legal to purchase hookahs at shops and consume them at home.
Authorites generally apply Section 144 of CrPC to stop functioning of hookah bars.[7] Governments also use the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition) Act, 2003.
Hookah bars are banned in state of Maharastra. Other regions that have bans are:
| City/Region | State | Date of Ban | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | Karnataka | March 2011 | [8] |
| - | Maharashtra | October 2011[9] | Serving hookah is punishable by a fine of ₹1,200 (US$14)[10] |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | 9 December 2011 | [11] |
| Ludhiana district | Punjab | 1 March 2012 | [12] |
| Gurgaon district | Haryana | 3 April 2012 | [13] |
Early attempts at a smoking ban
In 2007, Chandigarh became the first city in India to become 'smoke-free'. However despite there being some difficulties and apathy by the authorities[14] the Smoke-Free Chandigarh[15] project has been a success story. Taking a cue from the Chandigarh's success, cities like Shimla also followed the Smoke-Free Chandigarh model to become smoke-free.[16] The success of Chandigarh had been widely recognised and the architect of smoke-free Chandigarh Hemant Goswami.[17] was also awarded the Global Smoke-Free Partnership Award for the initiative.[18]
The state of Kerala also had implemented a more relaxed smoke-free ordinance, becoming the first state to do so, although this was not fully enforced until the implementation of the nationwide smoke-free law.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Smoking-ban-to-be-enforced-from-Oct-2-Ramadoss/317035/
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bruhat-Bangalore-Mahanagara-Palike-to-intensify-hookah-joint-raids/articleshow/12168543.cms
- ^ http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Smoking-ban-to-be-enforced-from-Oct-2-Ramadoss/317035/
- ^ "India to declare all places of work as smoke free". Spiritindia.com. 23 July 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ http://expressbuzz.com/cities/bangalore/Bangalore-Smoking-ban-still-long-way-to-go/302146.html
- ^ http://www.ias.org.uk/resources/publications/theglobe/globe200103-04/gl200103-04_p27.html
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Ludhiana/Hookah-bars-banned-in-Ludhiana-district/SP-Article1-819900.aspx
- ^ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/154922/hc-notice-bbmp-ban-hookah.html
- ^ http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_hookah-banned-across-maharashtra_1595391
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Home-minister-warns-of-a-ban-on-hookah-parlours/Article1-834643.aspx
- ^ http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/hookah-bars-banned-in-jaipur/923989.html
- ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-03/ludhiana/31119413_1_hookah-bars-civil-surgeon-smoking-tobacco
- ^ http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab/Chandigarh/Hookah-bars-banned-in-Gurgaon/SP-Article1-835246.aspx
- ^ Sarin, Jaideep, "Chandigarh’s ’smoke-free city’ campaign loses steam", Indo-Asian News Service, New Delhi, 13 July 2008
- ^ Website, "Smoke Free Chandigarh Website", Burning Brain Society, Chandigarh
- ^ The Hindu, IANS, "Shimla to turn smoke-free soon", Chandigarh
- ^ The Times of India, "Our Unsung Hero, Kicking the Butt", Chandigarh
- ^ World Heart Federation, "Global Smoke Free Partnership", Chandigarh