Chennai, Expressing deep concern over a massive surge in fatalities linked to second hand smoke, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday urged central and state governments to strictly enforce the ban on smoking in public places.
“The primary reason for this alarming trend is the failure to curb public smoking. the nearly 50 per cent jump in fatalities underscores the severity of the hazard While the population exposed to passive smoking grew by only 18.40 per cent from 37.50 crore to 44.40 crore. Mortality rates due to secondhand smoke rose by 61.74 per cent among men and 38.35 per cent among women, according to the study. Innocent non-smokers, particularly women and children, suffer severe health consequences due to the irresponsible actions of others,” Anbumani said in a statement.
“While the Central Government enacted the legislation, he stressed that state governments bear the primary duty of enforcement”, he added. “This averages out to just 68 violations cited per day across the state, with an average fine of ₹ 177 per offender”, he said adding that the Health Department’s latest policy note omitted enforcement data post April 2024, raising doubts about the government’s commitment to implementing the law. Claiming that the medical experts warn that secondhand smoke poses identical hazards to direct smoking, he said, “inhaled nicotine accumulates in blood vessels supplying the brain and heart, leading to conditions such as heart disease, stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease , asthma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and diabetes”.
Reflecting on his tenure as Union Health Minister , the PMK leader recalled overcoming strong opposition to enact the law banning public smoking, which took effect on October 2, 2008.
