'Chennai will become 'smoke-free' by 2010'
Chennai,
Nov
26:
This
burgeoning
metropolis
will
become
a
smoke-free
city
by
2010
and
Tamil
Nadu
a
smoke-free
State
two
years
later,
according
to
Union
Health
Minister
Anbumani
Ramadoss.
Taking
the
first
step
in
the
direction,
he
launched
the
Tamil
Nadu
Tobacco
Control
Coalition
(TTCC)
and
an
audio
CD
on
''Smoke-Free
World''
at
a
function
here
yesterday.
In his address, the Minister said he would urge Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to make Tamil Nadu the first smoke-free State in the country by 2012.
He had been urging the Chief Ministers of Delhi and Maharashtra to make Delhi and Mumbai 'smoke-free' cities.
Announcing the Centre's decision to unveil a national programme to bring down the use of tobacco products in public places, Dr Anbumani said the programme would empower police, headmasters, bus drivers and conductors and law enforcers to penalise offenders.
''The fine is Rs 200 per offence, whereas we want it to be raised to Rs 2,000,,'' he said and urged people to oppose use of tobacco products in public places.
''When tobacco consumption is coming down in developed countries, why should it go up in developing countries? If Bangladesh can bring down tobacco consumption, why can't we? If Chandigarh can become a smoke-free city, why can't Chennai,'' he asked.
UNI