Saturday, October 4, 2008

The First Step Towards The Beginning


Save the children , Save the environment and Save me- finally the voice reached the deaf ears and banged the door of their souls.


It was a scream of a child who has been suffocated and choked by the tobacco smoke and was waiting a just hearing to save his life and the life of others who want to step into this beautiful world.


This was an appeal from the environment and nature who cannot bear the pain of the rape of the forest cover and land any more. Above all it was the voice of we the people who care for the future of both and the present of our selves.


According to the constitution of India fundamental rights Art 21 says that none shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedures established by law. Article 47 requires the State to endeavor to improve public health as among its primary duties.


Tobacco smoke is proven to be damaging the health of the non-smokers involuntarily. Cigarettes biddi and other smoked tobacco products are responsible for the Second Hand Smoke (SHS), also know as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), which is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers.


Unfortunately, It is involuntarily inhaled by nonsmokers, lingers in the air hours after cigarettes have been extinguished. SHS has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known cause of cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).


According to Dr. K. Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India and a renowned cardiologist, "Tobacco smoke is a lethal weapon. Second Hand Smoke is an indiscriminate and inconsiderate assault on the health of non-smoker.


Keeping all the damages in view "The cigarettes and other tobacco product " Act was brought in front in 2003 but couldn't be implemented then due to some reasons. It took almost five years to decide upon the act and finally except some of the regulations of the act for eg. pictorial warnings on the packets of the tobacco products and a few others , the act has been implemented on a very historic and appropriate day - 2nd of October The Gandhi Jayanti.


According to this act smoking has been banned in all public places, school premises, hospitals, health care centers, public traveling, offices outdoor and indoor. The fine of 200 rs will be charged from the people who will not obey the rules initially but it can be increased to 1000rs in the future.


Almost 80 countries except India smoking is banned in public places, restaurants,hospitals , cultural centers, public transportation, work places, pubs , bars, private clubs, hotels, libraries , shopping malls,conference centers, sports areas, community halls, government buildings, schools,entertainment outlets and casinos. Bhutan is the first country where there is a national ban on the sale of tobacco products. Smoking in public places is iilegal in Bhutan since 22 February 2005.


These decisions are the result of the thoughts of the wise men all over the world who have realized the emergence of the ban on tobacco and related products and deply felt the pain and agony of the tobacco victims.

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