Smoking…………BANNED?

I guess everyone is in light that smoking is banned in public places.  But are the peoples of the Darjeeling conscious about what they are doing. Do the people of Darjeeling have respect for others or we just boast about our innocence and humanity. The world’s largest ever smoking ban came into play from 2nd October 2008 in India which prohibits smoking in public places. This smoking ban has been the largest of its kind ever and marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi- much revered as the Father of the Nation. The ban includes public places such as bars, restaurants, amusement parks, bus stands and any other public places. But we are ignorant about it there is no sign of any ban people are smoking ignorantly in the public places.  Why do not we understand that we are not alone in the society? In Darjeeling people do not follow the theory of “live and let live” but we have our own theory “die and let die”. We should understand that the government did not take the step just to show its power but for the welfare of the people.
The punishment prescribed for the ban is if you are caught smoking in the above places, you'd have to shell out Rs 200. The public places that allow employees to smoke within their building premises would have to cough up Rs 5,000 per employee caught smoking. Those who want to smoke can do so in the vicinity of their homes.
Also, under the new rules, cigarette and bidi packs will feature either a glossy photo of infected human lungs or an X-ray plate of the chest of a cancer-sticken man. Packets of chewing and smokeless tobacco products will flaunt a graphic image of a scorpion that depicts cancer.
Modernization is not just wearing modern dress and puffing cigarette but also respecting individual’s right. We know that smoking is banned all over India but it seems in Darjeeling we are not in a mood to think about it for a moment. Advertisement in T.V., Radio and posters of “smoking is banned” has no effect on the peoples of Darjeeling. People sit besides the notice pasted smoking is banned and have their puff. We are relaxing, enjoying with the puff but are we thinking about the non-smokers. How suffocating it might be for them?  Have you ever realized that when you smoke in a public place you are not only harming yourself but the non-smokers too?  The president of the Public Health Foundation of India Dr K. Srinath Reddy asserted that: “Implementation will take time, but passive smoking kills and people have a right not to subject their health to risk against their wishes.”  
Smoking is injurious not only to health as well as wealth. We know that every puff of cigarette shortens our life span. Smoking causes 35% of all cancer deaths. (a) At least 90% of lung cancer deaths are due to smoking (b) passive smoke (smoke produced by smokers and inhaled by non-smokers) accounts for a large number of cancer deaths.  
A responsible citizen who smokes should think about it, that it’s our moral duty not to smoke in public places.   


Is the ban working?

This question has a very big answer i.e., NO  
In the hills of Darjeeling, smoking ban notices have been pasted at many public places like malls restaurants, public buildings. But it seems like there is no sign of ban here, it has not stopped anyone from lighting up cigarettes in public places. People are aware of the fact but still they are ignorant. The government has provided an exhaustive list of what it deems to be public spaces as well as officials who have the authority to fine law-beakers.  Places that comes under the preview of public places where smoking is banned are auditoriums, cinema halls, hospitals, health institutions, railway stations, bus stands, restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, offices, libraries, courts, markets, shopping malls, airports, discotheques, coffee houses, schools, colleges, fun parks. People are allowed to smoke inside their homes, and in open areas. People should do self policing instead of waiting for any law to bond or force them.

Let think and act

The people of hill are well educated and versed with the new law of smoking ban in public places but it seems that we are not in the mood of listening. Let be responsible and act its not only for the good of the smokers but for the passive smokers (non-smokers) too. Smokers are risking their life by consuming the smoke directly but the passive smokers are compelled to inhale the smoke without their knowledge. Think about the children who are innocent but due to the ignorance of the grown ups they are suffering too. Public smoking not only hampers the smokers but the victims are the passive smokers too. India’s health minister 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). From 2 October India is going to go smoke-free in all public places, Mr. Ramadoss said. “The aim is to discourage the smokers, to make them quit or reduce smoking. Also all non-smokers have a right to a 1005 smoke free atmosphere.” The perils of passive smoking are equally bad. ‘Teething problems’ Health experts say passive smoking contains more than 4,000 chemicals and exposures can cause lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and asthama.

Darjeeling is very much known for its natural beauty elegantly viewing Mt Kanchenjunga which gives relaxation not only to mind but also to soul, so a step should be taken to preserve it.