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EDITORIAL: World's biggest public smoking ban to come into effect  

This year, can truly be called momentous. Not just because we celebrated the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Nor because Eid too was celebrated that day. Amid the traditional gaiety and fervour, the day, in fact, stood out for the world’s biggest public smoking ban to come into effect — arguably one of the most important social and health legislations to kick off in India.

Of course, the opposition to the ban is fierce and the onus of adherence and compliance completely rests on the people and the authorities. But the fact that a bold step has been taken to stub out a deep-rooted health hazard may at least make people think about stopping smoking. . . .

Chronic cough and phlegm are also more frequent among children of parents who smoke. In the workplace, chronic exposure to tobacco smoke reduces airway function to the same degree as smoking 1-10 cigarettes a day.

Indeed, all smoke and much fire. The only good news, however, is that once you quit the habit, you can reduce your chances of getting cancer, heart attack and other diseases.

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