Chennai: PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss called for setting up a separate wing to prevent smoking in public places and expressed shock that no action has been initiated on the violators despite the ban on smoking in public places coming into effect two years ago.
Claiming that statistics on smoking in public places is “shocking”, he said though as per the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, the violator could be fined Rs 200 for smoking in public places, “shockingly, not a single person in Tamil Nadu has been taken to task.
From April 2015 to April 2017, Tamil Nadu accounts for the highest in violations. A case could be filed if tobacco products are sold within 100 yards from schools and educational institutions. However, the Union Minister has said that no action has been taken since the last two years in Tamil Nadu.
“This is an example of how indifferent the government could be in controlling social evils,” Dr Anbumani said in a statement here on Sunday.
Smoking in public places in Tamil Nadu has become more common and many roads, roadside shops, sidewalks and restaurants are becoming more common places encouraging the violators. As a result, non-smokers, especially women and children who pass by are severely affected.
“This is a huge human rights violation. Likewise, banned gutka is available near schools. When I was union health minister, I brought the legislation banning smoking in public places. The law was implemented throughout the country since October 2, 2008. So long as I was union minister, this law was fully implemented in the country. The Act was passed in Tamil Nadu for the first six months of 2010. The impact lasted for the next few years,” he added.
Pointing out that over 10 lakh people die every year due to smoking in India, the PMK leader said it is the duty of the government to prevent this and ensure women and children were safe. “Therefore, I urge the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate action to create a separate wing to prevent smoking in public places,” he said.
