'Govt to make all workplaces free of tobacco soon'

New Delhi, Jul 20: Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today decried the lack of implementation of Tobacco Control Act and said that soon measures would be taken to ensure that all workplaces, be it restaurants, hotels, airport, railway stations or any office, be come tobacco free.

Addressing mediapersons after receiving the 'WHO Director General's Special Award for Tobacco Control', Dr Ramadoss said, ''In India, we have wonderful laws but they are not properly implemented. Despite the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Control Act, neither the people nor the administration was following it. We are going to change it. In India, all workplaces will be tobacco free within three to four months time. Nobody in India can smoke in workplace be it restaurants, hotels, offices and railway stations. If anyone has to smoke he or she can do that either on the road or in their homes if their wives allow them. Even at homes, since maids are employed and it is a workplace for them, they can stop people from smoking,'' Dr Ramadoss said and added that stringent punishment would be meted out to anyone violating these laws.

He said that now efforts would be made for stringent implementation of the to bacco control law. He said that would be done through a Regulatory Authority which would monitor the implementation of the act.

Pointing out that Chandigarh had become the first city in the country which was smoke free, he said, ''We will fight till the entire country becomes tobacco-free.'' Regarding the delay in the move to have pictorial warning of skull and cross bones as well as the cancer of various types indicating the dangers of smoking or using other tobacco products, Dr Ramadoss said a Group of Ministers was deliberating on the issue.

Admitting that there was a lot of pressure from various state governments, Chief Ministers and MPs against the move to introduce pictorial warnings, Dr Ramadoss said that he would remain firm on the move as many people were supporting him also. He said that the GoM, which has many members, would decide the issue soon. However, the cabinet meeting this morning decided that instead of skull and cross bones, some other form of pictorial warning would be put in place on cigarette boxes and bidi bundles.

Dr Ramadoss said the fight against tobacco menace was essential as 40 per cent of all health problems occurred due to tobacco use and about one million lives were lost every year due to smoking. He said 50 per cent of all types of cancer occurred due to tobacco and about Rs 40,000 crore was used for either due to use of tobacco or on treatment of diseases related to its use while the Tobacco industry earns about Rs 40,000 crore annually.

He said that India was among the first countries to ratify the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the WHO and the Tobacco Control Act was passed before FCTC came into effect. It banned smoking scenes in movies and television and all forms of advertisements direct or indirect which was recognised even by WHO which honoured India with the award.

''This is the beginning of a relentless war against tobacco. We have a long way to go and we will fight till the end. The day is not far off when whole of India will come together and say enough is enough, let's make India tobacco-free. We have to fight for that day.. fight jointly, collectively and passionately for this.'' Presenting the award and the citation to the health minister, WHO Regional Director for South East Asia Samlee Pilanbangchang said tobacco had a devastating impact on health of people so all the people of the country should fight the menace. He said the award was being presented in view of the deep commitment of the government and the efforts and leadership of Mr Ramadoss in this regard.

UNI