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Ramadoss for strict enforcement of on-screen smoking ban
Jan 19, 2006 - 11:36:00 PM, Reviewed by: Dr.
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"I don't know what their problem is. I am definitely taking up the matter considering that a lot of children are getting affected and dying due to the impact of tobacco consumption,"
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New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) Upset over the leniency in implementing the ban on the depiction of smoking in movies and television shows, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has decided to pursue the matter with the information and broadcasting ministry.
"I don't know what their problem is. I am definitely taking up the matter considering that a lot of children are getting affected and dying due to the impact of tobacco consumption," Ramadoss told the media during the annual Editors' Conference on Social Sectors Issues here Thursday.
The comment came a day after Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi had said that some characters needed to be shown smoking or drinking for a proper portrayal, and as such ensuring the imposition of the ban on smoking on-screen could be difficult.
Ramadoss said: "The health ministry is going ahead with the imposition of the ban (in accordance with the Anti-Tobacco Act). However the issue is currently in the Supreme Court."
He regretted that the health ministry lacked the powers to ensure a total ban on consumption of tobacco products, which are known to impact not only the health of millions but also result in several thousand deaths every year.
Ramadoss said while a total ban on tobacco products was not possible, the government had issued a draft notification to ban the use of tobacco and alcohol in food items.
Once the legislation came into force, the government would be in a position to ban the use and sale of products like tobacco-flavoured edible products.
Indo-Asian News Service
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