Chennai: A petition has been filed in the Madras high court to direct the police to take steps against persons who smoke in public places.
Justice N.Kirubakaran before whom the petition filed by M/s Studio 11 represented by T.C.Sharath of Kodambakkam came up for hearing, said since the issues involved in the petition was with regard to the use of tobacco and smoking, larger issues have to be dealt with in this case. Therefore, the TN government represented by its health ministry and family welfare Chennai, DGP, Chennai, were suo motu impleaded as respondents.
The judge posted to June 8, further hearing of the case after additional government pleader P.V. Selvakumar and government advocate Muthukumar took notice for Chennai corporation and assistant executive engineer, Chennai corporation, Kodambakkam.
According to petitioner, smoking in public places was prohibited nationwide from October 2, 2008, under the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008.
The government also imposed a fine on the persons who smoke in the public place or places where there government felt that the people will be affected by smoking.
Open space or the other such place mean that the places where there was movement of public. Sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institution was also prohibited. Anybody violating this rule, will be charged with a fine of Rs 200. If any person allows them to smoke for their business development in a public place, the person who was in charge of the place was also liable to pay the fine. The Constitution very clearly says it is a right of every citizen to live in a health environment. While so, the smoking in public place still continues, he added.
Citing a tea shop at Trustpuram in Kodambakkam, where the people smoke in the tea stall and in public place, the petitioner said he sent representations to the Chennai corporation to take steps against persons who smoke in public places. But there was no response, he added.
