Rejuvenating myself over my favourite cup of tea (mom made one with Ginger flavour), I started off my Dry day.
As I opened today’s News paper was reminded that from today Smoking is banned in Public Places. So all in all today is Dry Day cum No Smoking Day while the latter is for ever for the time being.
As a Passive Smoker what does this mean to me. The new law says “A Public Place is defined as a place with more than 30 People”. And all the Incharges/supervisors/CEO’s of that particular public place have to implement the law.
Do we know who is the Incharge/Suprvisor/Ceo of a Bus Stop/Parking Lot/near grocery Stores ., etc. Even if there is a person who monitors this, is he equally empowered to punish by levying fine upon people who make a mockery of law.
Can a Parking Lot incharge go and levy fine upon a Honda City owner for Smoking in a Public place.
How about this, Can I as a passive Smoker when I feel not so comfortable when people near me Smoke - go and say them that this is a public place and you should quit smoking here. I would be lucky enuf to get out of that place safely.
Now the Ministry also provided a remedy for such situations saying that coming soon there shall be Contact Numbers and names of people whom I can call and complain against a guy who is trespassing the law by smoking in a public place. A smoker completes his heinous act in not more than 3-5 minutes, does this timeframe give enough evidence or time for the other person to respond.
All in all another new law in to the system which has been infused by laws and laws over years.
Let me re-iterate, I am not against banning public Smoking. It’s a wise decision and is the need of the hour. But the means resorted or the way it has been planned to implement is something which I am apprehensive about.
This reminds me of my high school concept “Rules are meant to be observed in Spirit not in words”. If we can drive out this message of No Smoking through the right channels of medium we can strike the chord with many.
For the moment I hope this law will also yield good and Positive results like the recent compulsory helmet restriction implemented by Hyderabad police.
Its all in the junta's mindset to come out of their comfort zone to see changes..
ReplyDeleteImposing a ban is @#$#@#$@#. As the saying goes 'One feels more satisfied in doing things which others feel you should nt do'.
Atleast, an attempt has been made by the govt. which deserves some appreciation. I am sure there are more important things to take care of before imposing such a ban.