Smoking Ban

Smoking ban will save 200,000 lives a year: Medvedev

Moscow: Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said new legislation banning smoking in public places could save up to 200,000 lives annually in the country. "I hope that it (anti-smoking law) will contribute to reducing this factor (smoking)," Medvedev said at the first session of the government's health protection committee.

Russia has some of the highest rates of smoking in the world. President Vladimir Putin signed the ban into the law on February 25, 2013. It envisages a gradual ban on smoking in public, including in government buildings, healthcare and educational facilities, cultural sites, sports stadiums and on public transport.

The law comes into force June 1, 2013, though some of its provisions, including a total ban on smoking in restaurants, trains and hotels, will only come into effect a year later. Medvedev cited expert data according to which the ban will "not only save health but also up to 200,000 lives" a year, which is equal to "the population of a large Russian city."

The legislation also imposes a total ban on tobacco advertising. Tobacco companies will be barred from holding promotional prize draws and sponsoring public events and competitions. The bill also prohibits display of tobacco products in shops. Sales in retail kiosks will be banned from June 2014, and minimum prices will be set for cigarettes, which currently cost from just 40 rubles (about $1) a pack....more    

I&B stays no-smoking rules by Health Ministry

New Delhi: The new regulations on onscreen smoking that were handed out ambitiously by the the Health Ministry have been stalled as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) has given in to the plea of the film makers, asking for their creative rights. The I&B Ministry has stayed the no smoking regulations by the Health Ministry. In a letter from the I&B ministry to the Health Ministry, it is clear...  

Ernakulam becomes the first no-smoking district

Kochi: Ernakulam is all set to become the first smoking-free tourist destination in the country. In the wake of the success of the anti-tobacco measures taken by the Ernakulam district administration, the Kochi Corporation and the district panchayat, steps have been taken to declare Ernakulam as the first smoking-free tourist destination in India. District Collector Sheik Pareeth said that Excise Minister K Babu would make the declaration of smoking-free Ernakulam...  

Ban on smoking in films is unconstitutional: HC

The court quashed the Centre's notification banning smoking onscreen. ...  

Delhi High Court quashes ban on smoking in films

The union ministry of health and family welfare had in May 2005 proposed the ban. ...  

After tobacco, Ramadoss to crackdown on junk food

Ramadoss is all set to make labelling of food products mandatory. ...  

Iconic characters can smoke on screen: Health Ministry

But Ramadoss has appealed to SRK and the Big B to not smoke in films. ...  

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

The Government's diktat on smoking has the nation split down the middle. ...  

Ban on smoking: Are people ready to kick the butt?

CNN-IBN's Geetika Pokhriyal went on a check. ...  

Watch: Public reacts on the smoking ban

Will the ban on smoking actually work?. ...

Smoking ban leaves businessmen fuming

Restaurants and hotel owners will have to make separate smoking enclosures. ...

No smoking zones marked | UPA helps stub the butt

The SC has upheld the government's ban on smoking in public places. ...  

UPA hopes public will help in kicking the butt

Just one day is left for the ban on smoking in public places to take effect. ...  

Smoking in public places? Get ready to shell out Rs 200

The ban was earlier in offices, now even public places aren't spared. ...  

Judges differ on smoking ban in films, case lingers

New Delhi: Hyderabad will host the first ODI of the five-match series between India and England at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal on October 14. All the five ODIs will be day-night affairs. The second and third ODI of the series will be played in New Delhi and Mohali on October 17 and 20 respectively. The fourth ODI will be held at the renovated Wankhede Stadium while Eden Gardens,...  

Smoking corner in office to go up in smoke soon

London: Sri Lanka's top batsman Kumar Sangakkara has rated England as a very good Test side and said the upcoming series between the two sides will be a close contest. Sangakkara, who joined the squad after captaining the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League, said the toughest challenge for them would be to face England's disciplined bowling attack. The first of the three-match Test series starts at Cardiff Thursday....  

Shisha bars defy smoking ban in UK

London's Shisha bars are threatened by a smoking ban that prohibits smoking in public places in Britain. ...