Ban on smoking will be enforced strictly from Oct 2

Bangalore, Sep 2 : Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today said that private offices and other establishments can no longer have designated rooms for smoking cigarettes as the ban on smoking in public places would be enforced strictly from October 2.

"From October 2, the government would introduce the no smoking policy in all indoor establishments," Ramadoss told reporters here.

"Smoking will not be permitted in any private or public building. Companies can no longer have designated smoking rooms. Smokers will have to step outside into open space if they wish to smoke," he said.

The government would also embark upon an advertisement campaign on the "no-smoking" policy, the minister said.

The proposed pictorial warning on all tobacco products would come into force from December 1, he added.

ANI