FDA GETS TOUGH WITH SMOKING ACT
The Asian Age (Jun 2004)
By Skimmy Gupta
Smoking in a restaurant or a public place? Get ready to face the music of FDA authorities and shell out two hundred rupees. FDA officials conducted their first major drive to implement Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 implemented from 1st May 2004 across the city. The daylong drive conducted by 28 food inspectors on restaurants/hotels and shops on Saturday, 19th June yielded a total fine collection of Rs.20, 200/-.72 hotels/restaurants/bars in Mumbai were penalized for violating FDA norms of not putting ‘No-Smoking’ board at their premises and resulted in collection of Rs.14, 400/-. Even restaurants with at least 30 seats had not demarcated ‘No smoking zone’ as per the Act. Few persons were also fined for smoking in public. 68 restaurants in Thane were also penalized in a similar drive conducted on Friday.
FDA officials inform that many restaurants had not even heard of such law implemented by state FDA. The Act prevents smoking in public places like auditorium, hospitals, restaurants, amusement parks,bus depots,trains,public offices, public conveyance and any place to which public have access whether of right or not. FDA officials across Thane and Mumbai plan to conduct such regular drives to make restaurateurs and public aware about the Act.
FDA will keep an eagle eye on people, shopkeepers and restaurateurs on anyone flouting the act relating to tobacco products and cigarettes. Food Inspector L.G Rathod, FDA-Mumbai informs that his team penalized 12 restaurants and hotels including Sunraaz, Royal Garden in Juhu and neighboring areas on Saturday. He says, “Only one hotel had put the ‘No smoking’ board. The principal aim of the Act is to protect the citizens from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke and discourage the use of tobacco.”
I R Salunkhe, Joint Commissioner, FDA – Mumbai informs that it was quite surprising that most restaurateurs were not aware of the law.” Our teams conducted the drive across the length and breadth of the city. Even few persons smoking in public were penalized. First time the offender will be penalized Rs.200/-But if one repeats the offence, it would involve police action and possible legal prosecution.”
Uttam Khobargade, State FDA Commissioner reveals that these drives will be conducted on a regular basis.”Khobargade said, “Our teams will soon monitor trains, platforms, bus depots and other public places where smoking has been banned. The drive will continue till people get aware of this Act, support the cause and stop smoking in public.”
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By Skimmy Gupta
Smoking in a restaurant or a public place? Get ready to face the music of FDA authorities and shell out two hundred rupees. FDA officials conducted their first major drive to implement Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 implemented from 1st May 2004 across the city. The daylong drive conducted by 28 food inspectors on restaurants/hotels and shops on Saturday, 19th June yielded a total fine collection of Rs.20, 200/-.72 hotels/restaurants/bars in Mumbai were penalized for violating FDA norms of not putting ‘No-Smoking’ board at their premises and resulted in collection of Rs.14, 400/-. Even restaurants with at least 30 seats had not demarcated ‘No smoking zone’ as per the Act. Few persons were also fined for smoking in public. 68 restaurants in Thane were also penalized in a similar drive conducted on Friday.
FDA officials inform that many restaurants had not even heard of such law implemented by state FDA. The Act prevents smoking in public places like auditorium, hospitals, restaurants, amusement parks,bus depots,trains,public offices, public conveyance and any place to which public have access whether of right or not. FDA officials across Thane and Mumbai plan to conduct such regular drives to make restaurateurs and public aware about the Act.
FDA will keep an eagle eye on people, shopkeepers and restaurateurs on anyone flouting the act relating to tobacco products and cigarettes. Food Inspector L.G Rathod, FDA-Mumbai informs that his team penalized 12 restaurants and hotels including Sunraaz, Royal Garden in Juhu and neighboring areas on Saturday. He says, “Only one hotel had put the ‘No smoking’ board. The principal aim of the Act is to protect the citizens from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke and discourage the use of tobacco.”
I R Salunkhe, Joint Commissioner, FDA – Mumbai informs that it was quite surprising that most restaurateurs were not aware of the law.” Our teams conducted the drive across the length and breadth of the city. Even few persons smoking in public were penalized. First time the offender will be penalized Rs.200/-But if one repeats the offence, it would involve police action and possible legal prosecution.”
Uttam Khobargade, State FDA Commissioner reveals that these drives will be conducted on a regular basis.”Khobargade said, “Our teams will soon monitor trains, platforms, bus depots and other public places where smoking has been banned. The drive will continue till people get aware of this Act, support the cause and stop smoking in public.”
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Labels: City
posted by Skimmy @ June 20, 2008
1 Comments:
At October 5, 2008 at 11:13 AM ,
onlooker said...
Its a welcome relief that the FDA is finally cracking down on smokers, it would be nice if they can also crackdown on the high and mighty neglegent doctors of Mumbai.
I recently came to know of a young lady who has been in Coma since the last two weeks after being treated by Dr Kiran Coelho of Leelavathi Hospital!!
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