By Bernama,
Bangalore : In keeping with its sustained anti-tobacco campaign, India will implement a “workplace smoke-free policy” beginning October 2, the Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Anbumani Ramadoss as saying.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Anbumani said that: “Smoking will not be permitted in private and public buildings. Those wishing to smoke will have to step out on the roads”.
The ban applies to all companies, including the IT sector, Ramadoss said. Companies could no longer have designated smoking rooms, he added.
The rule would also apply to small cafes, restaurants, pubs or discotheques. Hotels having more than 30 seat arrangement would have to create a separate enclosure for smokers and a separate ventilation arrangement as per the act, he said.
Currently the punitive action for those violating the ban is Rs 200 but the ministry is keen on increasing it to Rs 1,000 (US$1=Rs44.12) for individuals committing the offence and Rs 5,000 for organisations.
The government would run a series of advertisements highlighting the ban. Celebrities including Bollywood stars would be roped in to publicise the no-smoking rule.
A pictorial warning would also be carried on all tobacco products with effect from December 1.
Tobacco manufacturers had been notified and given three months time to comply.
The Indian Government was an early signatory of an international agreement which requires the country to reduce the tobacco cultivation and consumption. Moving in this direction the government was keen to wean away tobacco cultivators to growing medicinal herbs, he said.