NEW LAW BANS SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES & ADVERTISING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO CHILDREN
Author: Sharad Vadhera, Kan & Krishme

A ban on smoking in public places which covers offices, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, college campuses, bars and discos has come into force in India on October 2, 2008 in an effort to curb high levels of tobacco addiction. The law also bans direct and indirect advertising of tobacco products and the sale of cigarettes to children.

India's health ministry says hundreds of thousands of people who have never smoked die each year by inhaling smoke from other people's cigarettes and bidis (small hand-rolled cigarettes common in India).

The penalty for smoking is a 200 rupee ($4.50) fine. However, how well the ban and penalty are actually enforced remains to be seen.

The reaction has been predictable and varied. Bars and clubs are concerned that they may face a drop in patronage, cigarette vendors are ruing the impact on their revenue, and many smokers are outraged that their freedom has been taken away.