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| Indian ban on smoking in public | Indian ban on smoking in public |
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| A ban on smoking tobacco in public comes into force in India on Thursday. | A ban on smoking tobacco in public comes into force in India on Thursday. |
| Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss says he aims to cut the number of smokers and to protect passive smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco. | Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss says he aims to cut the number of smokers and to protect passive smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco. |
| India has more than 120 million smokers and observers say the ban will need to be strictly enforced. Those flouting it face fines of 200 rupees ($4.50). | India has more than 120 million smokers and observers say the ban will need to be strictly enforced. Those flouting it face fines of 200 rupees ($4.50). |
| Tobacco smoking in India kills 900,000 people a year, a figure expected to rise to a million by 2010. | Tobacco smoking in India kills 900,000 people a year, a figure expected to rise to a million by 2010. |
| href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/south_asia_indians_react_to_smoking_ban/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/south_asia_indians_react_to_smoking_ban/html/1.stm', '1222779386', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;"> href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/south_asia_indians_react_to_smoking_ban/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/south_asia_indians_react_to_smoking_ban/html/1.stm', '1222779386', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures | |
| India's health ministry says hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year by inhaling smoke from other people's cigarettes and bidis (small hand-rolled cigarettes common in India). | India's health ministry says hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year by inhaling smoke from other people's cigarettes and bidis (small hand-rolled cigarettes common in India). |
| "From 2 October India is going to go smoke-free in all public places," Mr Ramadoss said. | "From 2 October India is going to go smoke-free in all public places," Mr Ramadoss said. |
| "The aim is to discourage the smokers, to make them quit or reduce smoking. Also all non-smoking employees have a right to a 100% smoke-free atmosphere. | "The aim is to discourage the smokers, to make them quit or reduce smoking. Also all non-smoking employees have a right to a 100% smoke-free atmosphere. |
| "The perils of passive smoking are equally bad." | "The perils of passive smoking are equally bad." |
| 'Teething problems' | |
| Health experts say second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and exposure to passive smoking can cause lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and asthma. | Health experts say second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and exposure to passive smoking can cause lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and asthma. |
| PUBLIC PLACES DEFINED Auditoriums, cinema hallsHospitals, health institutionsRailway stations, bus sheltersRestaurants, hotels, bars, pubsOffices, libraries, courtsMarkets, shopping mallsAirportsDiscotheques, coffee housesSchools, colleges, fun parks | |
| In the capital, Delhi, no smoking notices have been posted at many office buildings, restaurants and hotels. | In the capital, Delhi, no smoking notices have been posted at many office buildings, restaurants and hotels. |
| The government has provided an exhaustive list of what it deems to be public spaces as well as officials who have the authority to fine law-breakers. | The government has provided an exhaustive list of what it deems to be public spaces as well as officials who have the authority to fine law-breakers. |
| Once the ban comes into effect, people will still be able to smoke inside their homes, and in open areas. | Once the ban comes into effect, people will still be able to smoke inside their homes, and in open areas. |
| The health minister says he has written to all state governments asking them to ensure the ban is observed. | The health minister says he has written to all state governments asking them to ensure the ban is observed. |
| Legislation to outlaw smoking in public in India was first passed in 2003. | Legislation to outlaw smoking in public in India was first passed in 2003. |
| A ban was supposed to have taken effect in 2004, but it has taken four more years to thrash out guidelines before it could be implemented. | A ban was supposed to have taken effect in 2004, but it has taken four more years to thrash out guidelines before it could be implemented. |
| Many say the new regulations will need strict enforcement to be effective. | Many say the new regulations will need strict enforcement to be effective. |
| Some say they believe the law will be used by the police and other authorities to harass people. | Some say they believe the law will be used by the police and other authorities to harass people. |
| The health minister admits there will be "teething problems". | The health minister admits there will be "teething problems". |
| Campaign | |
| But he says the "smoke-free campaign is a movement launched with massive public support" and he is confident that it will succeed. | But he says the "smoke-free campaign is a movement launched with massive public support" and he is confident that it will succeed. |
| "I expect there will be problems, but it will be done. I appeal to the people to please do self-policing and abide by the act." | "I expect there will be problems, but it will be done. I appeal to the people to please do self-policing and abide by the act." |
| To raise public awareness about the ban, the health ministry is running a publicity campaign in newspapers and on television and radio and billboards. | To raise public awareness about the ban, the health ministry is running a publicity campaign in newspapers and on television and radio and billboards. |
| A new website will also be launched on Thursday to provide information about the ban. | A new website will also be launched on Thursday to provide information about the ban. |