KOLKATA: The city, it seems, is reluctant to root out smoking in public.
It's been five months since the mechanism for imposing fines on those who flout the ban on smoking in public was put in place. The Kolkata Police armed itself with the challans and State Tobacco Control Cell ( STCC) got ready to swing into action. A series of meetings and advocacy sessions aimed at sensitizing the police and those responsible for enforcing the prohibition were held and a list of pubs and bars that were generous about smoking drawn up. But the first penalty is yet to be imposed.
This, despite the fact that Kolkatans continue to puff at hospitals, government buildings and educational institutions. Even though most restaurants and bars have managed to stub out smoking, lighting up on the road remains unrestricted. Smoking in public was prohibited under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act that came into force on October 1, 2008, exactly two years ago.
Cancer Foundation of India (CFI) that has been actively advocating the ban has lodged complaints against some restaurants that allow smoking late in the evening. Complaints have also been filed against offenders in public transport. But no step has been taken.
"Unfortunately, police are yet to conduct surprise raids which it had promised. There are a few prominent restobars which are still flouting the rule. As far as government buildings are concerned, they remain smokers' dens," said Sutapa Biswas, executive director, CFI. Each government department is supposed to have a designated officer authorized to slap the penalty. The police can impose a fine at any place where lighting up has been prohibited. Offenders in Kolkata and the state, it had been decided, would be fined Rs 200.
Three government hospitals in the city SSKM, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital and NRS Medical College had drawn up an action plan. They had appointed designated officers and put up no-smoking boards all over their campuses earlier this year. Their efforts, however, petered out.
"Their response was quite encouraging to begin with. But these places are too caught up with their own problems to keep up the momentum. The police must lend support," said Biswas. Coffee House at College Street, one of the city landmarks, continues to ignore the law. Even though the authorities have removed ash-trays from the tables, visitors are allowed to light up.
Institutions like Jadavpur University and Presidency College, too, have not been able to banish smoking or even restrict it. It has been officially disallowed on both campuses, but continues to be ignored.
A hookah bar in central Kolkata was recently warned by police. CFI members claimed they still allow patrons to puff away and even hold hookah parties late at night. Restaurant owners also admitted that many continue to ignore the law. "There are a few in central Kolkata which flout the ban. We'd be happy if police catch them," said S K Khullar, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association of Eastern India.
CFI has been lodging complaints with the commissioner of police. "It's been a disappointing period for us and certainly a setback for the campaign. Ideally, we should have started by catching a few offenders to set an example. We must start all over again," said Biswas.
It's been five months since the mechanism for imposing fines on those who flout the ban on smoking in public was put in place. The Kolkata Police armed itself with the challans and State Tobacco Control Cell ( STCC) got ready to swing into action. A series of meetings and advocacy sessions aimed at sensitizing the police and those responsible for enforcing the prohibition were held and a list of pubs and bars that were generous about smoking drawn up. But the first penalty is yet to be imposed.
This, despite the fact that Kolkatans continue to puff at hospitals, government buildings and educational institutions. Even though most restaurants and bars have managed to stub out smoking, lighting up on the road remains unrestricted. Smoking in public was prohibited under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act that came into force on October 1, 2008, exactly two years ago.
Cancer Foundation of India (CFI) that has been actively advocating the ban has lodged complaints against some restaurants that allow smoking late in the evening. Complaints have also been filed against offenders in public transport. But no step has been taken.
"Unfortunately, police are yet to conduct surprise raids which it had promised. There are a few prominent restobars which are still flouting the rule. As far as government buildings are concerned, they remain smokers' dens," said Sutapa Biswas, executive director, CFI. Each government department is supposed to have a designated officer authorized to slap the penalty. The police can impose a fine at any place where lighting up has been prohibited. Offenders in Kolkata and the state, it had been decided, would be fined Rs 200.
Three government hospitals in the city SSKM, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital and NRS Medical College had drawn up an action plan. They had appointed designated officers and put up no-smoking boards all over their campuses earlier this year. Their efforts, however, petered out.
"Their response was quite encouraging to begin with. But these places are too caught up with their own problems to keep up the momentum. The police must lend support," said Biswas. Coffee House at College Street, one of the city landmarks, continues to ignore the law. Even though the authorities have removed ash-trays from the tables, visitors are allowed to light up.
Institutions like Jadavpur University and Presidency College, too, have not been able to banish smoking or even restrict it. It has been officially disallowed on both campuses, but continues to be ignored.
A hookah bar in central Kolkata was recently warned by police. CFI members claimed they still allow patrons to puff away and even hold hookah parties late at night. Restaurant owners also admitted that many continue to ignore the law. "There are a few in central Kolkata which flout the ban. We'd be happy if police catch them," said S K Khullar, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association of Eastern India.
CFI has been lodging complaints with the commissioner of police. "It's been a disappointing period for us and certainly a setback for the campaign. Ideally, we should have started by catching a few offenders to set an example. We must start all over again," said Biswas.
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