The High-powered Committee for Tobacco Control has urged the BBMP to ensure that eating joints are completely smoke-free.
A letter by Dr. Vishal Rao U.S., surgical oncologist and member of the Karnataka State High-powered Committee for Tobacco Control, requests both Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Palike to serve notices to bars and hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafes to go completely smoke-free and stop designating areas for smoking.
Dr. Rao, in his letter dated February 15, noted that while the recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data showed a reduction in tobacco consumption, second-hand smoking was still a major concern. “The Assembly Committee has recommended strict enforcement be ensured in all public places, especially hotels, bars, restaurants. Towards this, the police and the municipality/urban development have been instructed to take necessary steps.”
He pointed out that the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services (KSFES) has also observed cigarette/ beedi butts to be one of the biggest fire hazards. Apart from this, a recent report from the Excise Department also suggests that hotels and bars were violating smoke-free norms and setting up illegal designated smoking areas, the letter stated.
BBMP Commissioner N. Manjunath Prasad said, “We have received the letter. Smoking has been banned in public places. Some eateries make a separate enclosure. We had closed these earlier. However, some restaurants and bars approached the High Court, and a court order allowed for enclosed smoking zones.”
