NEW DELHI: As the nationwide ban on smoking at public places comes into effect this Gandhi Jayanti, there have been mixed reactions from smokers in the city. While most Delhiites, including some smokers, consider this ban a progressive step, most smokers feel it's just unnecessary interference.
Says 23-year-old Ajoy Ashirwad, a media professional, “It is a good move for non-smokers. It may give us a cleaner environment. However, I don't think the ban can get smokers to quit. In fact, corruption could rise as desperate smokers may be willing to pay bribes if caught.”
Ankita, an IT professional, says, "Most public places already have a separate zone for smoking. In pubs, everyone goes to drink and smoke, and the non-smokers who visit these places are completely aware of this fact. It would have been better if the government took steps to make people aware about the harmful effects of smoking."
Jeenal Shah, a media professional from Mumbai quips, “Smokers are bound to feel victimised and such groups generally retaliate by breaking the law. The restrictions are too harsh and certainly need to be amended. It is simply unfair.”
Some city smokers however, are preparing to face the ban — not by quitting, but by looking at ways and places to smoke covertly. Says Pallav Jha, an MSc student from Delhi University: “I have a piece of government advertisement from a daily newspaper, which says one can smoke on pavements. If any one objects, I can show him that ad.”
Passive smokers welcomed the ban. Says Kritika Kinshalay, who works in a finance firm. "This ban is the right move. Even if I pass by someone smoking, I am bound to be affected. " Says another post-graduate DU student, Pranshu: "I doubt if this ban will be actually effective. Smokers will be inconvenienced but none of the smokers I know are going to quit. We have a ban on campus as well, but then we manage to get cigarettes here and smoke. But yes, our intake in a day may reduce.”
Ajit Jha, who runs an IT solutions company in south Delhi, supports the ban. He says: "People will certainly control their impulse to light a cigarette as and when they feel like. Their intake will definitely reduce. Not everyone who smokes is an addict, and those who are not, might quit smoking altogether."
The smokers who are ready to abide by the new rules are a confused lot. "Clarification is required on what are private and what are public places. How can smoking be banned in a place like pub or disc? It will be so irritating for a person to keep visiting a particular room for a smoke. The ban in public places makes sense but banning it in places like pubs definitely violates my right to smoke," said Devdeep Choudhary, a second-year JNU student.
"What if me and my administrator are both smokers? Will he still be in a position to impose a fine on me? Most of the office buildings have specific smoking zones. If a non-smoker still stands there, then it is absolutely his own call. Imposing a fine for smoking in smoking zones in offices makes no sense," says Rajneesh Saxena, an IT professional.
toireporter@timesgroup.com
Says 23-year-old Ajoy Ashirwad, a media professional, “It is a good move for non-smokers. It may give us a cleaner environment. However, I don't think the ban can get smokers to quit. In fact, corruption could rise as desperate smokers may be willing to pay bribes if caught.”
Ankita, an IT professional, says, "Most public places already have a separate zone for smoking. In pubs, everyone goes to drink and smoke, and the non-smokers who visit these places are completely aware of this fact. It would have been better if the government took steps to make people aware about the harmful effects of smoking."
Jeenal Shah, a media professional from Mumbai quips, “Smokers are bound to feel victimised and such groups generally retaliate by breaking the law. The restrictions are too harsh and certainly need to be amended. It is simply unfair.”
Some city smokers however, are preparing to face the ban — not by quitting, but by looking at ways and places to smoke covertly. Says Pallav Jha, an MSc student from Delhi University: “I have a piece of government advertisement from a daily newspaper, which says one can smoke on pavements. If any one objects, I can show him that ad.”
Passive smokers welcomed the ban. Says Kritika Kinshalay, who works in a finance firm. "This ban is the right move. Even if I pass by someone smoking, I am bound to be affected. " Says another post-graduate DU student, Pranshu: "I doubt if this ban will be actually effective. Smokers will be inconvenienced but none of the smokers I know are going to quit. We have a ban on campus as well, but then we manage to get cigarettes here and smoke. But yes, our intake in a day may reduce.”
Ajit Jha, who runs an IT solutions company in south Delhi, supports the ban. He says: "People will certainly control their impulse to light a cigarette as and when they feel like. Their intake will definitely reduce. Not everyone who smokes is an addict, and those who are not, might quit smoking altogether."
The smokers who are ready to abide by the new rules are a confused lot. "Clarification is required on what are private and what are public places. How can smoking be banned in a place like pub or disc? It will be so irritating for a person to keep visiting a particular room for a smoke. The ban in public places makes sense but banning it in places like pubs definitely violates my right to smoke," said Devdeep Choudhary, a second-year JNU student.
"What if me and my administrator are both smokers? Will he still be in a position to impose a fine on me? Most of the office buildings have specific smoking zones. If a non-smoker still stands there, then it is absolutely his own call. Imposing a fine for smoking in smoking zones in offices makes no sense," says Rajneesh Saxena, an IT professional.
toireporter@timesgroup.com
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