Ban it for better health

Ranchi, Nov. 1: The state government has decided to make the city a “smoking-free” zone in two months.

The health department, in association with NGOs and volunteers, would soon launch a door-to-door campaign in various wards of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC).

Smokers and users of other tobacco products would be educated about the health hazards of tobacco consumption, which would help them quit the habit, said health minister Bhanu Pratap Sahi.

“Each of the 55 wards of RMC will be assigned to an NGO, which along with health department employees will do a door-to-door campaign to create awareness,” he said.

The health department today organised a meet of officials of various departments, including education, police, tourism and representatives of the NGO to chalk out plans to implement the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Act, 2008.

Showing its commitment to the anti-tobacco drive, the government had banned smoking in public places a month before the Centre imposed it in October.

However, smokers have shown scant regard for the ban on puffing in public places, as the government is allegedly lax in enforcing the act. “In a bid to create awareness among people, we posted no-smoking placards in government offices and public places. Initially, we will offer counselling to tobacco addicts and help them quit the habit. Later, we will slap fines on offenders as prescribed in the rulebook,” said health secretary Pradeep Kumar.

He also admitted that the ban had done little to discourage smokers as they were under the impression that the act was toothless.

But he stressed that one should not mistake it as a lax act as the government was deliberately going soft on the offenders to begin with.

Pointing out that cigarette shops were functioning within the objectionable distance from educational institutions in the city, RMC mayor Rama Khalkho said: “The state should demolish these shops on a priority basis and students should be informed about the health hazards related to tobacco consumption.”

However, Ranchi legislator C.P. Singh struck a different note, demanding a ban on production of tobacco products, instead of banning smoking in public places.