Smoking ban: Is it okay for the Govt to butt in?

SMOKED OUT FACTS: The Government’s diktat on smoking has the nation split down the middle.

            

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‘Cigarette in my hand, I felt like a man.’ This notion is now going to change forever, because on October 2, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss enforced a complete ban on smoking in public places. Now one could end up getting fined for smoking in airports, railway stations, cinema halls and even office spaces.

But the Government’s diktat has the nation split down the middle on whether smoking should be banned in public or not.

Is a ban on smoking injurious to personal freedom? That was the question raised on CNN-IBN show Face the Nation.

On the panel of experts to debate the issue were actor Moon Moon Sen, social activist and ad guru Alyque Padamsee and Editor-in-Chief of The Pioneer Chandan Mitra.

Ban up in smoke?

Sen began the debate by saying that she is in support of the ban upto a certain point while Padamsee said that the ban comes with too many riders.

Speaking from personal experience, Padamsee said, “To tell you the truth I was a chain smoker about 20 years ago. I think smoking is terrible, I tried very hard to give it up and finally the doctor said you either have your voice or cigarettes. So the next day it was gone.”

Sen too spoke about friends and family “who enjoy life more if they are smoking.”

“I really think as grown ups they should be allowed to make a choice. We don’t really need a ban. I think we are going a little overboard while banning things. Next there could be a ban on alcohol,” she said.

However, many believe that the ban has been enforced because people refuse to act responsibly.

Disagreeing with the argument, Padamsee said, “I don’t think people act irresponsibly. But I do believe that the Government has one prescription for everything – ban. What I would like to know is who is going to enforce this ban? Our police is nowadays busy catching terrorists, are we going to tell the personnel now leave the terrorists and go catch those who are smoking in public places?”

“The Government needs to grow up. It is still in its infancy as far as motivation goes. It needs to motivate people to give up smoking. I made a film on anti-smoking which made a lot of people quit. And I am happy to give that film to the Government. After all it is a democracy, the Government cannot behave like a Hitler,” Padamsee added.

Smoking beedi for many daily labors is the only mode of recreation. Are we not denying them their right to choose?

“If smoking is injurious to health then ban the manufacture of cigarettes,” Padamsee said.

“There is no point in going round and round. On one hand we like the taxes and excise that is earned on cigarettes and on the other hand we say ‘don’t smoke’. Also, passive smoking is one of the greatest killers. Are we then saying don’t smoke in public but stay indoors and harm your family members and friends,” he added.

But there are certain things that have been taken seriously because of the Government’s initiative like wearing car seat belts and not speaking on mobile phones while driving.