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| Smokers –social outcastes from today | | A cigarette at public place may cost you Rs 200 | | RAMAN SHARMA
JAMMU, Oct 1: In the not-so-old bad times some people would have to suffer isolation and discrimination for belonging to a particular caste or class. The society has moved on blur all those bad lines of recognition but –for the good –by tomorrow there will a new publicly declared social outcaste –the smokers.
The passive smokers who had to risk the health hazards for no fault of their now have a reason to smile. They can take on hazardous smokers to put that dangerous smoke off –whether it is a public park, garden, bus stop, restaurant or even the private offices where many people share a room. Beginning October 2, smoking is banned at all public places and the government seriously means it. Now smoking in public place is an offence with fine. Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation might feel happy on receiving such a gift of ban on smoking on his birthday.
Tomorrow onwards cigarette smoking shall not be allowed in the public places. The civil society has different views on this order of the government. While some consider it as a welcome step while other look at it as a dictatorial attitude of the government. No matters whatever people feel but the government has made its mind up to impose the law in toto.
Those who are in favour of the ban are appreciating this move of the government,' I am thankful to them, at least now I may inhale fresh air' tells Simran Sethi, a steno-typist in the state agricultural department Jammu. Unlike Simran many smoking addicts believe that it will not be easy for them to quit smoking during their office hours. Krishan Verma, who is at his 50's and owns a shop in the ware house, Jammu tells 'I started smoking at the age of 19, but now they have brought this law, I am worried'. It is very appreciable that not all smokers are in dis-favour of this ban on smoking, but even some smokers themselves are appreciating this attempt of the government. Anwar Chauhan, a retired Police officer tells 'though I am a chain smoker, but I endorse the stand taken by the government' he further adds on saying 'this is a welcome step because I don't want my son to follow me'.
The strong supporter of this ban are the women of the society because they are the worst hit victims of the smoking and particularly the pregnant ladies. Known Gynecologist of Jammu Dr. Sushila Sawhney appreciates the decision by saying ' It's thankful decision of the government, since cigarette smoke risks health of both foetus and its mother' she further added that otherwise also here in India the number of throat cancer and lungs cancer is on a rise.
Many people doubt the credibility of this law and feels that like many other lawa this too would be proved as a futile exercise. Advocate, Charanjeet Singh of Jammu and Kashmir High court though personally endorses the ban, but he has bit different apprehensions on this ' I am not worried about the people here in Jammu, but our people there in the Valley are more addicted' he further elaborates on saying that in the colder region of our state the inhabitants there have tendencies for smoking.
The provisions of the law of ban on smoking calls for a fine of Rs. 200/ for each violation and it is the responsibility of the in charge/manager/officer and caretaker of the concerned office/building whether state owned or any private not to allow anyone to smoke inside the premises and no match sticks, ash trays and lighters shall be provided in the public places to courage and facilitate smoking. But in certain cases the caretaker or in charge of a hotel or other public premises like an airport may allow smoking in the "smoking zone" after obtaining permission from the concerned authorities. But laws alone cannot yield the results and it is the participation of the public which can be helpful to implement this ban, and the smokers themselves realize that their habit don't cause the health of others. |
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