BAN: India snuffs out public smoking

06. Jan, 2010 1 Comment


Jaisalmer Indian CigarettesMore than a year has passed since India’s October 2, 2008 ban on public smoking, the world’s largest such ban to date. Locals and consequently tourists are subject to a Rs 200 fine. This fine (roughly $4) may not seem noteworthy, however it equates to the average daily wage for many workers in India.

During my last trip in Oct 2009, I didn’t hear any advertisements nor saw any promotional campaigns in place to educate not only the locals but more so the foreign travelers. It wasn’t until I arrived home and stumbled on a brief article in India Today magazine that I came to know of this. Although not a smoker myself, this post is for those travelers who, like me, were unaware of this newer law.

What are public places?
  • Auditoriums, cinema halls
  • Hospitals, health institutions
  • Railway stations, bus shelters
  • Restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs
  • Offices, libraries, courts
  • Markets, shopping malls
  • Airports
  • Discotheques, coffee houses
  • Schools, colleges, fun parks

More than 900,000 people are killed by tobacco smoking annually in India. Combined with lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and asthma, the Indian Government moved to snuff out the act. The law was initially passed in 2004 yet it took 4 additional years to work out guidelines.  Smokers can still light up in private homes and open areas.

© 2010 FullStopIndia.com India Travel Blog

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