CLPF demands removal of Designated Smoking Areas

GUWAHATI: Consumers' Legal Protection Forum (CLPF), Assam demanded to remove all Designated Smoking Areas under COTPA as places banned from smoking which exists now (with complete non compliance) in restaurants, bars, hotels and airports of Assam. The forum on Tuesday submitted a letter to Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan and raised this demand in the interest of public health.

In his letter to Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary, CLPF, Assam stated, "The best way smokers can reduce their risk of heart diseases and stay healthy during COVID is to quit smoking as soon as possible - as a first hand smoker or inhaling second hand smoke. Even extremely light smoking — as little as one cigarette a day — can increase a person's risk of heart attack and stroke and should be avoided."

Hazarika stressed that comprehensive smoke-free laws improve public health, particularly lung and heart health, by reducing the public's exposure to secondhand smoke, helping smokers reduce their cigarette consumption or quit, and making smoking less socially acceptable.

"Comprehensive smoke-free laws improve the respiratory health of bar and restaurant workers. Comprehensive smoke-free laws are associated with decreased hospital admissions for asthma and lung infections. It is estimated that smoke-free laws that include workplaces, restaurants and bars reduce the risk of heart attack by 85%. India must eliminate all Designated Smoking Areas to reduce the health burden posed by smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, particularly as it is dealing with the health burden caused by the corona virus pandemic," he added.

He highlighted that, Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008, commonly known as Smoke Free Rules 2008, came into force on 2nd October 2008 outlining enforcement of section 4 of COTPA, stating, "No person shall smoke in any public place," with an exception of Designated Smoking Area in place.