Wow, it took almost 3 years for our Government to bring out the “Smoking Ban” Act. This will be in effect from the 2nd of October this year, on Gandhi Jayanthi. Here are some points to be pondered over:
1. As per the revised Rules, smoking is banned in shopping malls, cinema halls, public/private work place, hotels, banquet halls, discotheques, canteen, coffee house, pubs, bars, airport lounge, railway stations.
2. People can smoke on roads or in their homes but not in any other place.
Well, the first question that comes into my mind is, “Is it justified?”
Many non-smokers would answer in affirmative, but a lot of my friends will be grinning, at the thought that here is another law that can be broken at will. As for me, I only smoke when no one is looking. Since, for the world, I have quit smoking.
Ok, what about pubs and bars?? Is it justified?? I don’t have an answer. When I was not a smoker, I really hated people who enjoyed blowing smoke over someone else’s face, but then I started doing the same to people who asked me to quit. Sometimes, I was beaten up, and then I realized that I just can’t do it to everyone, of course not to the girls at the pubs, especially when they are with their boy friends. But What the Hell……Why Pubs and Bars…..
I agree to everything else, not a ban on smoking in public places…..ok…Pubs and Bars are public places…..But, people go there to drink, smoke, dance, enjoy…..These are the necessary ingredients of the atmosphere. Any one of them goes missing, and the fun vanishes.
What about smoking zones then?? Aren’t those public places as well, should smoking be banned there also? Please comment.
Ok, now the Act allows people to smoke in their homes…WOW…thanks Health Minister. Isn’t that a public place? I mean, if you are having a party at your house, will the law be applicable there? Even if there is no party, why should the government decide if I should smoke in my home or not.
What about my car, though I don’t have one yet, but what about people having those small mobile private homes? Is it punishable??
This law needs serious amendments, before it comes into force. What say people??
If you don’t act now, someday, the Government will come up with a law that migth ban “Females in Pubs, Bars, Malls, Cinema halls” but only allow them in your homes and the street.
6 thoughts on “Finally, Here comes the Smoking Ban”
This is a very debatable topic. Also the viewpoints will vary depending upon whether you smoke or not. I will try to speak considering both:
Smoker: What will ban do? They cant have policeman in every corner to check. But sure it will affect me if they have one in pubs and bars. But then there is a back door entry for everything.But, Banning in pubs does seem like out of sorts here.
Non-Smoker: Mast kiya hai government ne. Kuch to dhang ka kaam kiya hai. Ab saala wo bauna waman cigerette pike mujh par hawa nahi chod sakta.
Neutral: Dude, ban or not. Doesnt matter much. Everything has to be thought at an individual level. You have to decide, whether its OK to smoke at some place where you are sure you are harming no other, but only yourself!!
Well, thats what I am saying…Waise ye bauna waman kaun hai?? Waise…Who cares…Really, Kitne policemen khade rahenge..har mod pe…People who want to smoke, will always find a place.
good initiative from the government. How will they implement it is still in dark? But somebody have to start somewhere… To make the garland we need thread first, otherwise garland is impossible. So thread has been found.. Now government has to start finding flower..
By my above words smoker will not agree, but i want this law to be implemented with the most strictness.
Guys,
It was lot of fun reading the blog this time.. The thoughts put by beanie certainly represent the smoker community @ large.Though I would really hope that this could curb the smoking habits of people but practically it is not going to happen. Its just going to add to the pockets of the Policemen. If he catches u .. u pay him a 30-50 buck and share a puff with him 🙂
Awesome write up.. the thoughts just poured in from beanie– who seems to be lamenting about the dry days of his life after 2nd october 🙂
well…i agree to whatever you said! This will surely reduce the no.of smokers inour country , especially those who are yet to see their adulthood. For the exiting ones, it will be a tuff time but then theywill some how manage. As far as the bars,etc are concerned , I think with time people will learn to enjoy without the smoke 🙂 ..2decades down the line it wont be awkward at all !!
oii mote.. u remember we went to pub dat day on brigade road.. n i was dying inside of smoke.. 🙂
i still think pubs can be left out..
smoking zone shud also continue.. so dat we(non-smokers) kno where not to go to save ourselves from passive smoking..
n police.. i think that too wud be gud.. police will also get some money.. n it'll also deter ppl a bit, from smoking next time.. isnt it?
i can expect fresher air now 🙂