Anti-Smoking campaign Special squads fails to curb smoking in public places in the state

Anti-Smoking campaign Special squads fails to curb smoking in public places in the state Nitesh Sangral JAMMU, Aug 16: Though authorities have claimed to have constituted special squads to take action against the people smoking in public places, but it has failed to become a deterrent and non-smokers continue face threat to their health. A long time after the ban on public smoking came into force, people in State continue to suffer in silence while smokers continue to puff away their cheap cigarettes, breaking the law with impunity. In offices, both government and private, smokers have encountered little resistance from authorities and norms are being floated much to the dismay of non-smokers, who are aware of the health risks, not to speak of the inconvenience caused. It is pertinent to mentioned here that the Drug and Food Control Organisation (D&FO) has constituted special squads to identify violators and impose fine on them. After special squads the people are flouting norms in openly. Source said that the smokers can be seen puffing off anywhere in the public places, especially in Civil Secretariat and near educational institutions, in the City of Temples after more than 3 years of ban imposed on it. People now are more alarmed after a pioneering study revealed that passive smoking is responsible for deaths of innocents’ people. “The Civil Secretariat is the highest violator of tobacco ban in Jammu and Kashmir State. After having made legislation the government might have forgotten the same or tried casually to implement the ban at public places but its violators are continuing to abuse the law brazenly right under the very nose of Chief Minister, “he added. The number of such deaths is growing in developing and underdeveloped nations where ban on tobacco smoking in public spaces is less implement. Many public transports in the State also do not still have mandatory no-smoking signs. Among the most vulnerable sections affected by second hand smoke are pregnant women and children. Ajit Singh government employee said that smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and other public spaces. “A smoker's (poor) choice should not affect the health of others. Secondhand smoke contains hundreds of toxic chemicals including arsenic ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, benzene, and vinyl chloride, “he says. The concerned department has claimed they have been conducting routine checks and fines have been impose. However, cooperation from public and awareness is the only way to check the violation. Citizens follow rules; the ban cannot be enforcing fully against the use of drugs and smoking in public places. “The organisation has also decided to create awareness among the people about the need of adhering to the rules of the Act.” Interestingly, the three years passed the nationwide ban on smoking at public places was imposed in October 2008 under the provision of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act.