New Delhi:
As the nationwide ban on smoking at public places comes into effect
this Gandhi Jayanti, there have been mixed reactions from smokers
in the city. While most Delhiites, including some smokers, consider
this ban a progressive step, most smokers feel it's just
unnecessary interference.
Says 23-year-old Ajoy Ashirwad, a media professional, "It
is a good move for non-smokers. It may give us a cleaner environment.
However, I don't think the ban can get smokers to quit.
In fact, corruption could rise as desperate smokers may be willing
to pay bribes if caught."
Ankita, an IT professional, says, "Most public places
already have a separate zone for smoking. In pubs, everyone goes
to drink and smoke, and the non-smokers who visit these places
are completely aware of this fact. It would have been better if
the government took steps to make people aware about the harmful
effects of smoking."
Jeenal Shah, a media professional from Mumbai quips, "Smokers
are bound to feel victimised and such groups generally retaliate
by breaking the law. The restrictions are too harsh and certainly
need to be amended. It is simply unfair."
Some city smokers however, are preparing to face the ban "
not by quitting, but by looking at ways and places to smoke covertly.
Says Pallav Jha, an MSc student from Delhi University: "I
have a piece of government advertisement from a daily newspaper,
which says one can smoke on pavements. If any one objects, I can
show him that ad."
Passive smokers welcomed the ban. Says Kritika Kinshalay, who
works in a finance firm. "This ban is the right move.
Even if I pass by someone smoking, I am bound to be affected.
"Says another postgraduate DU student, Pranshu: "I
doubt if this ban will be actually effective. Smokers will be
inconvenienced but none of the smokers I know are going to quit.
We have a ban on campus as well, but then we manage to get cigarettes
here and smoke. But yes, our intake in a day may reduce."
Ajit Jha, who runs an IT solutions company in south
Delhi, supports the ban. He says: "People will certainly control
their impulse to light a cigarette as and when they feel like.
Their intake will definitely reduce. Not everyone who smokes is
an addict, and those who are not, might quit smoking altogether."
The smokers who are ready to abide by the new rules are a confused
lot. "Clarification is required on what are private
and what are public places. How can smoking be banned in a place
like pub or disc? It will be so irritating for a person to keep
visiting a particular room for a smoke. The ban in public places
makes sense but banning it in places like pubs definitely violates
my right to smoke," said Devdeep Choudhary, a second-year
JNU student.
"What if me and my administrator are both smokers?
Will he still be in a position to impose a fine on me? Most of
the office buildings have specific smoking zones. If a non-smoker
still stands there, then it is absolutely his own call. Imposing
a fine for smoking in smoking zones in offices makes no sense,"
says Rajneesh Saxena, an IT professional.
Source: The Times of India
