my views on the question below, published in "The Central Chronicle" on June 7, 2008.
Qs: “Government should strictly ban production / sale of tobacco products ?”
Well, that would be so…. perfect! “Na rahega baans na bajegi baansuri”. ‘Tis long overdue. Manufacture and resulting sale of these should be strictly banned, not just in rule books, publicity media or ministerial speeches, but in actuality. Once such laws are passed -the easiest part- Government needs to ensure they’re followed.
It’s no use trying to blame the smoking public, imposing fines, threatening them to stop for consideration of health and environment. Large hoardings, expensive advertisements criticizing, listing out ill-effects and banning smoking in public etc. won’t yield much result, they’ll smoke in private. Neither will persuading ShahRukh Khan & Amitabh Bachchan to give up portraying smoking scenes help.
If the government genuinely wants a “no-smoking-country”, it’s most logical to stop producing & selling cigarettes, “bidhis” etc. giving up the temptation of earning related revenues. No smoke without “smoke”! Pass a bill, make a law, but make sure it’s “enforced” with ‘Singaporean discipline’!
Manisha Gupta
New Delhi
A very good article indeed.I don't know why don't they stop producing cigarettes and selling them.People who drink ciarettes not only spoil their own health but also spoil the environment and other people's health.From my side no to cigarettes.
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