Smoking is a silent killer be it in one form or the other. To add to it a lot of people are exposed to Passive Smoking which is even more harmful or equally bad for an individual. The initiative by the Government to ban smoking in public places was a good move and it is high time something similar is brought about with regards to consumption of Gutka or just Tobacco in the country. The Government needs to have more initiatives to make the public more aware of the harmful effects of Tobacco, just like we have the Ring the Bell Campaign, something similar should be highlighted. What is even more disgusting is the consumption of Tobacco and its misuse on public property. The Government should have stringent rules in order to keep the city clean and dirt free.

Charmaine Fernz, Mumbai

Its BAD, we know that it creates a lot of health problems for people who consume it, although it is a high revenue earner for the govt, it should be allowed only in exceptional cases. It makes people addictive and finally takes their lives, this leads to personal, financial and physical issues among the person consuming it day in and day out. Its a small poison in itself, people consume it first and then it consumes the same people later. It takes a lot of lives every year and the count is ever-increasing.

Mitul Shantilal Rambhia, Mumbai

I am all for complete eradication of tobacco. But then we should also ensure that the plantation workers are adequately rehabilitated.

Venkatachalam Krishnan, Bangalore

Tobacco specially the unprocessed one should be banned in India so much so that not so many variants are sold any where else in the world. Gutkha is the worst of all and it takes its toll in the form of mouth cancer and bad teeth etc. I cant stand a guy chewing Gutkha. Smoking is equally bad but regarded a fashion which is not good. Indian cigarettes do not even mention nicotine content. It should be made mandatory. Overall in my view Tobacco should be banned immediately and its farming should also be banned. People should be encouraged and educated to get rid of it and stay away from it.

Jaswinderjit Singh, Gujarat

The use of tobacco in our country is increasing day by day. The govt is not implementing any new plan for this. Any plan the govt has laid, has not worked. In the case of farmers who cultivate tobacco, if the govt bans tobacco, then they will starve, one good thing the govt can do for the farmer is help them cultivate other crops. But how will the govt shut down, because the manufacturers pay huge bribe to the govt. The most addicted to tobacco are teenagers who get influenced by the media and tobacco ads. Tobacco is one of the most dangerous things, and the youth can't understand its harmful effect. The thing we can do for the ones addicted is to igve proper counselling and treatment.

Filosh Mohan, Gujarat

As far as concerned with banning tobacco ,then frankly speaking it will make employed people unemployed....so instead of banning tobacco we should put restriction or there should be some law for not selling tobaccos to minor.

Rajiv, Mumbai

I feel that people who smoke are careless and do not want to accept that they are weak and escapists. We all know the potential dangers of tobacco and the facts, still we do not picture ourselves being affected by it. We are fine smoking but do not want to think of the effects it may have on others. Same thing with gutkha too, its just addiction to the taste and whatever ingredient it has, that soothens the nerves, its more of an issue of victory of body over mind, physical needs take precedence over mental, social and emotional ones. Need to fulfill physical urges and ignore wat your mind tells. To sum up, addiction, carelesness, weakness, lack of reasoning, escapism and not wanting to shoulder responsibility.

Roohi Ahmed, Mumbai.

Its for the government to ban it completely, but alas they seem to be more concerned about the revenue it brings. Dheema zehar hai yeh, chod do, varna pachtaoge, ek din aayega ghut ghut ke mar jaoge. This has been going on for years, rallies, campaigns etc., but nothing seems to have changed, on the contrary the number of tobacco consumers seems to be increasing. They can't change anything, its the people who need to change, its the friend who encourages another to smoke, who needs to change, its the shopkeeper who sells the devilish stuff who needs to change. We need a change, stand up and smoke away tobacco.

Shreyash Ajay Vishwaroop, Kota

The government banned tobacco and gutka products but not sealed the factories, If there is no production, no supply automatically no one can smoke, but govt can't do this because there is a huge loss of tax.

Jitendra, Kolhapur

I think the production of tobacco itself should be stopped. Then there will not be other issues like putting ban on smoking, writing statutory warning on cigarette packets, etc. But govt is not willing to do this because then it would have to let go huge amount of taxes. As for the farmers who are growing tobacco, the plants should be used for some other purpose "atleast" for the time till all the tobacco plants are being used up. For example, studies are already in progress for utilizing tobacco as biofuel. I think there is a need for the govt to divert the utilization of tobacco instead of spending heaps of rupees behind anti-tobacco campaign.

Kunal, Anand

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Well the cigarette itself has tempted me on one occasion when my friends were smoking it, but thankfully didn't get through it since a senior had wittingly scared me out of it. Till now I didn't know why I wanted to try it but just that I wanted to know how it felt. And I guess that's how it starts. We learn from what others do so I'm guessing among the youth that itself is a mode of spreading the habit. Being accepted as part of a social circle tends to pervert the mind into all sorts of stuff.

From what I've read, cigarettes are a major source of income so knowing that itself is disheartening. Man being a creature of habit, enforcing rules as such won't help as it leads to resistance and unnecessary outbreaks. In med school I was told that rehabs themselves have very high failure rates, therefore they look to project the success' so as to encourage more and more people to quit.

So banning, increasing prices, informed choices and what not are helpful in preventing the blind leading the blind but unfortunately not definitive in anyway.

Risus Sardonicus, Mangalore

Unless the user himself retrieves from this habit its unstoppable from society. Even the policy makers go for a ban of tobacco in public who is going to follow? First it has to be implemented in each and every state and the state should follow the rule strictly.

In real scenario here in TN, govt has banned it 3 times but they are not taking any action on the users in public. People will use it scarcely for a week, after knowing govt is liberal they take it to their advantage and this cycle continues. I conclude with a last statement, since INDIA is democratic nobody can stop this unless the person changes his habit or the politicians shouldn't be hungry for money from producers of tobacco products. Only then its purely possible otherwise its the fate of INDIA to loose people due to tobacco.

Santhosh Kumar, Trichy

I feel the government is showing double standards in banning smoking in public, but hasn't banned it completely, because of which, people still smoke in public.

Parin Chheda, Mumbai.

I feel banning smoking/tobacco is not the answer, rather educating about the ill-effects and consequences would help. Let us see the causes and consequences, tobacco is consumed all over the world in its various forms, in gutka, cigarettes, cigars, snuff, hookah, bidis, tooth powder, etc., It is highly addictive and habit forming. One gets induced into the habit due to stress, work pressure, work, personality disorders, insecurities, depression, cultural or familial customs or habits, peer pressure, as a way of exploring new vistas by youngsters. They would copy film stars and celebrities, being linked to manliness and style, out of curiosity, etc. When it becomes an addiction or habit, it not only causes medical problems but also social, economic and environmental problems!

What is required is information and education about the dangers of tobacco to an individual and to society at large! In the end it all boils down to PERSONAL CHOICE but it should be a well-informed, educated individual who makes the choice.

Kul Bhushan Tandon, Mumbai

Banning is not the solution, it will cause illegal sale, we won't even know the exact use of tobacco products. Rather we should increase taxes on it to make them less accessible and use the tax money for awareness and rehabilitation of people. There should be restriction on production or further progress in this industry. All big leaders and celebrities should help in creating such awareness.

Anil, Noida

I love my tobacco in various forms: Ciggies, rolled up rizlas, good old tobac and lime and and number of various other versions. I am against anti smoking.

Varun Gawarikar, Mumbai

I think not only public smoking, but also smoking on TV and movies should be banned, license should be checked before selling cigarettes, and other tobacco products. But banning smoking products is not fair as revenues from tobacco products constitute an integral part of revenue for the country.

Nitish Kapoor, Delhi

The government should ban the companies that manufacture tobacco products like gutkha, cigarettes, khaini etc., instead of banning the use of tobacco containing product like cigarette.

But lets not forget that the lives of the people who earn their daily bread by means of tobacco (such as farmers who are into tobacco farming) would be badly affected.
I read a article in a newspaper in which it was stated that the figures indicating the number of deaths caused every year due to consumption of tobacco or tobacco containing products are blown out of proportion.

Mummya, Miraj

Firstly referring to the ban imposed on smoking in several states including my town Shimla, people actually smoke in public places all the time and the cops just act oblivious to it! Honestly the youth is relatively more aware, w(students) frequently object to people who smoke in public places and we reprimand right in front of their face and people do feel little mortified and learn a lesson but smoking in publib places or somewhere out on a limb, you harm yourself!

The govt did confess that they get way more money from taxes on fags then the amount of money they spend on discouraging smoking! Unfortunately the better financial status of people is being splurged in such junk.

Abhishek, Shimla

Tobacco is harmful and all that, well its compulsory for the cig companies to put their warning on the pack that it kills people who smoke it, but then its upto the people who smoke to decide whether to continue with it or leave it. Well the govt. is taking steps, increasing taxes making rules not to sell smoke to under 18. Its all useless until and unless the smokers want to stop it themselves. I myself started smoking when I was sixteen and I still remember no one could stop me from fagging. Though I did get rid of the smoking habit two years later and it was not the prices rising or some silly movie or advert which made me do it, but just that I could not bear to think that my life was dependent on a six rupee white stick with tobacco in it and I would not like to live by something that cheap like a coward and tht was it, I stopped craving for smoke any longer. Trust me its not that difficult to stop. Today I sit with all my friends smoking and not wanting to take a puff at all. Even in the rarest of the circumstances if I chose to smoke once just socially it does not get me started again. I know it sounds almost ancient to say that only way one can stop tobacco is self realization, but its only true.

Shade, London

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The thing that I am going to mention right now is more dangerous than tobacco or dope or cigarettes that usually youngsters consume even though it may have the same after effects. This powerful alternative or lets say chemical is "Rubber Solution Adhesive". This is very cheaply available (Rs.7 for a 50gm pack) at any hardware or shoe material shop and is moreover sniffed by children from the slums. A really small 50gm pack can be used/sniffed till it totally dries up, which approximately takes around 8-10 days (if used just for sniffing). Hence making it the cheapest alternative available in town. This product is so dangerous that it can make a really cute little child look like a full-time dopey with dark circles around his eyes in less than a month if sniffed regularly.

Huzefa Tapia, Mumbai

The use of tobacco and gutka should definitely be banned, as there is no doubt that they are injurious to health, but it's a shame to know that there is politics been played on the name of public health. The politicians are paid hefty amounts by the tobacco companies so as not to ban it so that their trade is not affected, it is openly sold but with a warning informing to drink at your own risk. Recently there was a ban on hookah's and bars but why is there not even a mention of ban on tobacco and gutka. I've always heard that India is a colorful country, after noticing all colour on the roads and footpaths because of gutka and tobacco it has really proved that India is a colourful country.

Anu Ahmed, Mumbai

Its a personal choice... I do not have anything against sale of tobacco or alcohol, besides the lobby is too big to be affected by individuals.

Rohit Nair, Bangalore.

Anything that is harmful is bad. I would say this to every individual, use it but think before you commit SUICIDE.

Blackstar, Pune

Tobacco must be banned. I lost one of my family members due to this. In Chattisgarh tobacco was banned but within a month it people started smoking in trains, and nobody is stopping them.

Tyson, Trivandrum

Today's youth is damn sensitive or you can say they are prone to show off. They don't have any idea why they take up smoking, some of them say it makes a cool statement, or helps them if they are doing some mentally or physically exhausting work, like, "My Gf Ditched me, so i am Smoking" or "Hey i work in BPO Dude, i need to smoke." Anbumani Ramadoss made a huge step in curbing tobacco, but hardly anyone knows when it was implemented !.

Monusai, Mumbai

According to me smoking is a matter of personal choice, it depends on an individual whether he can risk his lungs for a 'stick of pleasure', but yes, banning its use in public places is quite a right thing as one has no right to cause harm to people who chose not to smoke, by the fumes he exhales. A positive education drive against tobacco will do, for instance, I really liked the idea of our health minister suggesting film actors to avoid it on screen, I think most people take up smoking due to its hype rather than its pleasure, and that hype comes from films and TV, so its more important to tell people its harmful, rather than banning it, as I think even banned things are an easy access in India. Banning sale of tobacco to children must be strictly implemented, its just like adult cinema, you can't see it till you are old enough to judge its worth trying or not.

Muktabh Mayank, UP

Actually I do smoke, but you see the point is all about ones choice. You can't stop people from smoking or boozing. The government should not exactly encourage smoking, but just prevent underage smoking and put up neat smoking zones instead. The government should do its part by putting statutory warnings and enlighten teenagers about the negatives of underage smokin, I feel most of the teens turn to smoking as a style symbol and peer pressure (I was one of them).

Viron, Hyderabad

Actually I don't know what pleasure do smokers get in burning their lungs and lives even after knowing the hazards and ill-effects of smoking, they can't avoid it, so a ban should be imposed on tobacco and smoking for their own welfare. I am a teenager myself and I hav seen many people smoking around me, many times I have got tempted to try it, but I could never bring myself to it coz i know that once I try its got to be bad for me and maybe I get addicted. I fully support this initiative and lets hope for the best.

Rajat Emmaniac, Lucknow

Sorry can't comment on the hazards of smoking as I am a smoker too. But one thing I would like to tell the youth is tobacco can be really bad for your body. I can give my entire goodies for a year to the person who would help me quit it and never go back again.

Rashmi, Chandigarh

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Tobacco is a necessity more than it is a luxury, the quality of life is so bad this is a small piece of solace available to people across strata of society.

Carl D'souza, Mumbai

Just like an adult movie, the sale to tobacco or its products should be banned to children below 18 years of age.

Dr. Nishant Tewari, Patna

On one hand, we take pride in calling ourselves a young nation—over 40% of our population comprises the youth. On the other, we turn a blind eye to the systematic poisoning of these same youth that hold the key to our future. It is a fact of immense shame that India is both the largest manufacturer and consumer of flavored chewing tobacco (Guthka). Available ubiquitously at a stone's throw from schools and colleges for as low as a few cents, Guthka is a “silent killer.” For years, the Indian government has unsuccessfully tried to ban the sale and consumption of this highly addictive mix, but the only beneficiaries of this movement have been manufacturers, who have used this as an opportunity to hike prices and bootleg. As Guthka manufacturers drive shamelessly around in their Maybachs and Bentleys, innocent addicts are languishing in pain in our government hospitals. It is a known fact that this billion dollar industry is being supported by both the drug mafia as well as terrorists from across borders. It is my appeal through this forum to the responsible citizens of India: It is our moral duty to join hands in fighting against this deadly virus and ensure that our youth are not destroyed. Please join hands and support this cause. We can and will make a difference. I humbly request our politicians and leaders to support us in eradicating this killer virus once and for all. Jai Hind.

Hinesh Jethwani, Mumbai

Don't let your life go up in smoke!!!!

Mohua Gupta, Mumbai

I think we need to have some rules in place, like one can only buy a complete pack of ciggies. Loose ciggs should not be sold as this will definetly decrease the amount of first time smokers. A person who wants to start generally will buy one cigarette at a time. Bad quality ciggs shudnt be sold, No PANAMA, GenNext.. or whatever...only Classic Milds, GOLDFLAKE and above... as these atleast have decent size filters. That's what i think.

Jonathan Sreekumaran, Mumbai

I really don't have an opinion although it seems stupid to take steps to avoid smokin n public when nothing is done to stop production.

Jonquil Sudhir de Souza, Goa

Tthe age limit should be taken seriously at the pan bidi shops. I've seen a lot of kids below the permissible age buying cigs/gutka...and the shopkeepers’ don’t give a f&*k!

Ian Pereira, Mumbai

First, it's not so much about Tobacco in India as it's about Tobacco and other substance (gutka, pan parags, crystals, bidis, pills, baba, sweety supari, goa) related disinformation methodolgies adopted globally! Legalizing Weed can be a great thing for the economy !

Abhishek Roychowdhary, Secunderabad

Sach main tho gutka aur tabbaco lane buri bath hai I don’t like if any one chewing guthka next to me because its make the city dirty. Everywhere there are stains jhidhar adhmi ko thook na nahi chaiya waha thook tha hai. Thats the bad part, achhi bath yay hai ki tarki dur kartha hai.

Dheeraj Khude, Mumbai

Personally I hate it, cos wen i see millions everyday spitting everywhere left right & center, it disgusts me to the core ideally I would want tobacco to be banned altogether but I know its impractical and not possible.

Prattyush Shahane, Mumbai

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Reason to ban smoking tobacco in public places isn’t for people to give up smoking. It’s banned so that non-smokers don’t suffer because of the 2nd hand smoke, which is a very valid thing to do & I suppose it should have been implemented long time ago. Something’s are better left to individuals discretion. As per abiding by norms of living in a free country, each one of us has a right to make a choice. Education, society, friends, exposure adds up to the way we think. I have seen people turning cold turkey all of a sudden. Of course, its for a reason. So until you find your reason, live it up.

Amit Ayre, Mumbai

Indian tobacco is good but Indian Tobacco Company, now they are into all sorts of business, FMCG and what not. ITC - goldflakes, wills, clssic...blah blah, the company started off as a cigarette company and now they are into everything. Can't say much, since I myself am a smoker and I wasn't trying to make any point apart from Indian tobacco quality is good.

Johnson Arkay, Mumbai

I think the recent ban on tobacco at public places is a great idea to start with. i believe to further curb consumption of tobacco is should be made very expensive to buy. like right now a pack of cigarette is rs 90 it should be made 300 lloll then the consumption will automatically go down. even those cheaper alternatives should become so expensive that its out of the reach of common man!

Amit Desai, Mumbai

I think tobacco in India provides employment to a lot of people in rural area. And in a labour intensive country likes ours, if tobacco gets banned then what happens to all these people? I personally feel that banning tobacco is not a solution because then lots of other things can also be banned! Education is necessary so people make an informed choice.

Averill Malakar, Delhi

Tobacco should be banned else people like me will smoke..tobacco is bad for health...it should be banned in all forms..a society cannot legalize a product which is surely bad for health..its not like alcohol. As alcohol is firstly not always bad for health also sometimes it is used as medicines, as in medical purposes. The lobby is supported only at economical level..Social usage cannot be a reason as lots of smokers try quitting it. Smokers want to quit it but as it is easily available and its hard to quit.

Vishal Agrawal, Mumbai

Since production of tobacco is concentrated mainly in rural areas, so its a cash crop of India. I do not think it should be banned because Indian tobacco quality is very good and mainly due to economic reasons as our tobacco is exported to all 3rd world countries. Also indian cigarettes are preferred because they are mild, mellow n last longer. Tobacco is also one of the ingredients in tooth powders.

Shoba Ramanujam, Mumbai

I completely support the ban. It's high time we thought about our friends and fellowbeings. It's only fair to be sensitive towards their choice and health if they supported smoking, they might as well hold a cigarette. Why force them to smoke passively. It's a shame that we need a ban, to realise these simple things. Every smoker must realise that it is good manners to respect non-smokers and saving them from passive smoking...

Meghana Biwalkar, Mumbai

Its good in a way that the government has imposed the ban, smoking is injurious to health. But each one is responsible for their own lives, not the government. Besides, the government rather then banning the object, should focus on the motive behind the object.

Shweta V, Mumbai

Firstly I think the smoking ban was a really good idea - it clearly has had visible results. Secondly I think smoking as a habit is not discouraged enough in India, as in its very socially tolerated and lastly India is sitting on a massive time-bomb of respiratory diseases... so some investment in healthcare for the same is due.. else the social costs of treating these diseases besides the sheer suffering will be unmanageable.

Jagrat Patel, Mumbai

I'm very happy with the no smoke legislation for hotels and restaurants, it has made going out such a good smoke free experience. You can eat
and spend time there in peace without smoke burning eyes or face

Neeti Mehra, Delhi

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