Click to play video‘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.
Unless the Government decided to take punitive measures, people did not take the rule seriously. So what is wrong if the Government bans smoking?
“It depends on how they wish to carry on the initiative. The Government has had programmes on tobacco chewing. But how can this ban be sustained? How will we stop Shah Rukh Khan from smoking in his movie or writers writing about it?” Sen asked.
The actor added, “With due respect to the Health Minister, the idea nowadays is that anyone who bans something gets a lot of publicity themselves. As Alex said we need motivation for a drive like this. We should have started this long time back rather than just taking a moralistic stand.”
The other side of the pipe
There is a large population in this country which is uncomfortable with smoking. Where does this segment go? Not too often have we seen that despite requesting, people don’t listen and continue smoking.
“They do obey at airports and in abroad too. What needs to be addressed is how will you at the fields and with labors?” Sen asked.
But what does it reflect on the Indian society when something as simple as smoking in public has to be made a law?
“I broadly agree with the panelists, however I have a few additional points to make. First, democracy is all about mutual accommodation of rights. I respect that non-smokers have their rights, but smokers too have their rights,” Mitra said.
“Now smokers are saying, ‘give us a designated space where somebody who wants to smoke and cannot give up is allowed to smoke.’ But according to the new smoking law even if one cigarette stub is found in an office complex then the owner is supposed to pay a fine equivalent to the total number of people working in the office multiplied by Rs 200. This is absolutely ridiculous, imbecilic and flies in the face of natural justice,” he added.
Mitra also believed that if the Government is so concerned about the nation’s health then it should ban the sale of cigarettes all together.
Meanwhile, Padamsee reasoned, “Just as a cigarette company motivates people to smoke, in the same manner get celebrities who are against smoking. Laws and rules cannot have that kind of a reach.”
But do youngsters get affected when celebrities smoke onscreen? “I don’t think it happens any more than a kiss onscreen,” Sen said.
Wrapping up the debate Mitra said, “I do not support the tobacco industry. Motivation is the key. Government is right in telling people how to lead a healthy life but after that leave it to the people. You cannot infringe on the personal freedom of anybody.”
While Padamsee concluded the debate by saying, “I say discourage people or motivate people not to smoke. I am happy to volunteer to convince people.”
Final results of the SMS poll:
61 per cent – No
39 per cent – Yes
Here are some of the reasons that keep 120 million smokers in India hooked on to the nicotine stick. The reasons may not be scientific, but smokers just need an excuse:
- The young breed of smokers say that along with inquisitive itch, peer pressure is responsible for them to start early.
- Many also confess that with a cigarette in their hand they feel more confident and look in control of things.
- Fighting stress is another justification provided by the smokers.
- Smokers say that they enjoy smoking with others as a shared activity and use smoking to start conversations and meet new people.
- Among other reasons, many smokers suggest that they do not kick their habit in an attempt to keep their weight down.
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