The Hindu : No breathing space for smokers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

No breathing space for smokers

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD July 16. Smokers have to pay through their noses -- the nostrils are no more meant for relaxed exhaling of smoke in this part of the world -- if they were caught chugging in non-smoking zones in the State.

Those contravening sections 5, 6 and 10 of the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Smoking and Health Protection Act, 2002, relating to ban on smoking in public places and public service vehicles and display of no-smoking boards, are punishable with a fine of Rs. 100 and for second or subsequent offence with a fine of Rs. 200, which may extend to Rs. 500.

As for those violating sections 7, 8 and 9 pertaining to ban on advertisement on cigarettes, selling cigarettes to those below 18 years and selling them within 100 metres of education institutions, they are punishable with a fine, which may extend to Rs. 500. In case of second or subsequent offence, they will be punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to three months or with a minimum fine of Rs. 500, which may extend to Rs. 1,000.

Authorised persons for levying penalty on violators in non-smoking zones -- managers, assistant managers of an establishment, superintendents, Resident Medical Officer of hospitals, librarians, court registrars, gazetted officers of Central, State, Central and State Public Sector Undertakings -- would be given receipt books printed by the Health Department free of cost. "They will have to remit the fine amounts in the Government treasury and will be held responsible for the remittance process.''

Sanitary wing officials of municipal corporations, municipalities and village secretaries have been empowered to check violations pertaining to sale of cigarettes to minors. Principals, vice-principals and headmasters of educational institutions can file a complaint with the nearest police station if they find anyone ``storing, selling or distributing cigarettes or beedies or any other smoking substance within a radius of 100 metres around their college, school or other educational institution.'' "The police shall file the same before the First Class Magistrate or Metropolitan Magistrate as the case many be,'' the Act states.

In addition to these, the Act makes it mandatory for every place of public work or public use to display boards stating "Smoking is strictly prohibited and an offence'', both inside and outside the place. The writing is on the wall, eh?

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