Tamil Nadu to become smoke-free by 2012
The Hindu - Monday, Nov 26, 2007
Front Page - Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: Chennai will become a smoke-free city by 2010 and Tamil Nadu a smoke-free State by 2012.
As a first step in this direction, Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss launched the Tamil Nadu Tobacco Control Coalition (TTCC) here on Sunday in the presence of Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian and released an audio CD on ‘Smoke-Free World.’
Delivering the special address at the ‘Consultation on Tobacco Control in Tamil Nadu,’ organised by the TTCC and Pasumai Thaayagam, Dr. Ramadoss said that he would urge the State Chief Minister to make Tamil Nadu the first smoke-free State in the country. He has been urging the Chief Ministers of Delhi and Maharashtra to make Delhi and Mumbai ‘smoke-free’ cities.
In the next 3-4 months, the Centre would form the Central Tobacco Regulatory Authority to monitor and implement tobacco control laws. It would be a law-implementing agency entrusted with full powers. The Centre would also launch a national programme to bring down the use of tobacco products in public places.
The programme would empower police, headmasters, bus drivers and conductors and law enforcers to penalise offenders. “The fine is Rs 200 per offence, whereas we want it raised to Rs 2,000,” he added. He urged people to take to the streets to oppose the use of tobacco products in public places.
Most people were not aware of the Tobacco Control Act that prohibited smoking in public places. Changes would be made in rules to make workplaces smoke-free zones. “Wherever there are employees, be it hotel, bar, restaurant or office, it should be made into a smoke-free place to save them,” he said.
Dr. Ramadoss said that around 40 per cent of health problems in India were caused by tobacco products. “When tobacco consumption is coming down in developed countries, why should it go up in developing countries? If Bangladesh can bring down tobacco consumption, why can’t we? If Chandigarh can become a smoke-free city, why can’t Chennai,” he asked.
Mr. Subramanian said that over 2,500 people lost their lives every day owing to the tobacco epidemic.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/26/stories/2007112656780100.htm
Fight against tobacco use facing opposition: Ramadoss
Times of India - 25 Nov 2007
CHENNAI: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday rued that his fight against the use of tobacco products was facing opposition from various quarters, which had the "backing of tobacco companies." "People think that as an Union Minister I can implement schemes with a single signature. But, I was able to do only one per cent of the work. For the balance 99 per cent, I had to struggle," he said, while speaking at a 'Consultation on Tobacco Control in Tamil Nadu' here.
"When pictorial warning on the packs of tobacco products was made mandatory, four Chief Ministers and 150 MPs met me and asked me drop the move. One particular Chief Minister, though I don't want to name him, met me thrice in this regard. Where is this country heading towards,?" he asked.
Ramadoss said even journalists ridiculed him when he announced a ban on showing smoking scenes in films. "Some tobacco companies, which are powerful enough to shake up even the US Government, are behind this. But, I don't care about anything. I'll go by my party founder S Ramadoss' advice," he said.
Elaborating the evils of tobacco products, he said 26 per cent of Indian population were using tobacco products and about 10 lakh people were dying every year due to tobacco-related illness. The WHO had also warned that smoking and drinking-related diseases would be a major health care problem for India in the next 20 years, rather than HIV/AIDS and TB.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Fight_against_tobacco_use_facing_opposition_Ramadoss/articleshow/2569947.cms
Ramadoss Launched Tamil Nadu Tobacco Control Coalition
TopNews.in - November 26th, 2007
Chennai: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has launched the Tamil Nadu Tobacco Control Coalition (TTCC) on Sunday. He released a CD on “Smoke-Free World.”
While addressing at the ‘Consultation on Tobacco Control in Tamil Nadu,’ organised by the TTCC and Pasumai Thaayagam, ‘ Dr. Ramadoss said that he would urge the State Chief Minister to make Tamil Nadu the smoke-free State in country. He has been already urging the Chief Minister of Delhi and Maharashtra to make Delhi and Mumbai ‘smoke-free’ cities.
The Centre, would form the Central Tobacco Regulatory Authority to monitor and implement tobacco control laws in next 3-4 months, and would also launch a national programme to reduce the use of tobacco products in public places.
Police, headmasters, bus drivers and conductors and law enforcers would be empowered to penalize offenders.
Ramadoss added, “The fine is Rs 200 per offence, whereas we want it raised to Rs 2,000.” He urged people to oppose the use of tobacco products in the public places.
Nearly 4 percent of health problems in India are caused by tobacco products. He asked, “When tobacco consumption is coming down in developed countries, why should it go up in developing countries? If Bangladesh can bring down tobacco consumption, why can’t we? If Chandigarh can become a smoke-free city, why can’t Chennai.”
Also present was Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian, who said that more than 2,500 people lost their lives each day due to tobacco use.
But Ramadoss also rued that various quarters, which had the backing of tobacco companies, are opposng his fight against the use of tobacco.
He said, “People think that as an Union Minister I can implement schemes with a single signature. But, I was able to do only one per cent of the work. For the balance 99 per cent, I had to struggle.”
About 26 percent of Indian population use tobacco products.
http://www.topnews.in/ramadoss-launched-tamil-nadu-tobacco-control-coalition-27410
Chennai will Become 'Smoke-free' by 2010: Anbumani
Daiji world - UNI - Monday, November 26, 2007 Chennai, Nov 26 (mb): This burgeoning metropolis will become a smoke-free city by 2010 and Tamil Nadu a smoke-free State two years later, according to Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
Taking the first step in the direction, he launched the Tamil Nadu Tobacco Control Coalition (TTCC) and an audio CD on ''Smoke-Free World'' at a function here on Sunday.
In his address, the Minister said he would urge Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to make Tamil Nadu the first smoke-free State in the country by 2012.
He had been urging the Chief Ministers of Delhi and Maharashtra to make Delhi and Mumbai 'smoke-free' cities.
Announcing the Centre's decision to unveil a national programme to bring down the use of tobacco products in public places, Dr Anbumani said the programme would empower police, headmasters, bus drivers and conductors and law enforcers to penalise offenders.
"The fine is Rs 200 per offence, whereas we want it to be raised to Rs 2,000," he said and urged people to oppose use of tobacco products in public places.
"When tobacco consumption is coming down in developed countries, why should it go up in developing countries? If Bangladesh can bring down tobacco consumption, why can't we? If Chandigarh can become a smoke-free city, why can't Chennai,'' he asked.
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=40682&n_tit=Chennai+will+Become+'Smoke-free'+by+2010%3A+Anbumani+
Anbumani asks actor Vijay to stop smoking on screen
Sify.com - Sunday, 25 November , 2007
Chennai: After taking on superstar Rajnikanth for his on-screen smoking, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday advised popular Tamil hero Vijay to stop showing smoking scenes in his films.
"He is an young actor and a large number of youth are following him. I advise him to stop showing smoking scenes in his films. I am requesting this not only as a Union Minister but also as a Tamil and a doctor," he said.
There was a misconception in the film industry that the films would run successfully only if it had smoking screens, he added.
Ramadoss said he had written to Rajnikanth a few years ago, requesting him not to smoke before the camera as it could have a bad influence on his massive fan following.
His two latest films Chandramukhi and Sivaji - The Boss did not have any smoking scenes and they turned out to be huge successes, setting a record in the history of Tamil film industry, he said.
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14566156
Just sizzle, don?t smoke on screen, actors told
Monday November 26 2007
Serena Josephine M
CHENNAI: If tossing a cigarette or smoking is considered style for Kollywood heroes, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss seems to have a different view. He has come out vehemently against heroes for smoking scenes in movies.
The Minister preferred to give a piece of his mind not only to actors but also to politicians and judges about smoking.Ramadoss said movies were one of the important reasons for smoking habits among children. Referring to Rajnikanth, he said: ?One of the heroes has stopped smoking on screen... I had written to him about it.? Interestingly, Rajnikanth?s latest movies, Chandramukhi and Sivaji, had no scenes of his smoking.?These two hit movies set a good example,? he said.
Actor Vijay came under the Minister?s criticism. ?My advice to Vijay is to stop smoking in his films as many youth are following him,? Ramadoss added.
From here, Ramadoss went on to list the politicians who opposed the warnings on cigarette and beedi packets. ?Four CMs have met me as also 150 MPs. They do not want the advertisements,? he said adding that a CM met him thrice ,while seven wrote saying beedi workers would be affected.?All parties, except the PMK, put forward their pleas regarding beedi workers and their livelihood. Where is our country heading?
There are around 30 lakh beedi workers. Is not a population of 110 crore of greater concern?? he said.Even the judiciary was not spared here. A case regarding ban on smoking scenes in movies was still pending in the Delhi High Court. ?The judge had reserved the judgment for the last eight months,? he said.
