'Act against clubs, hookah bars flouting non-smoking law'

There is an urgent need to take stringent action against clubs, hookah bars and restaurants which are flouting the non-smoking law, an NGO said Wednesday.

Smoking was banned in public places across the country Oct 2, 2008 following a Supreme Court order.

"According to recent figures of the state Tobacco Control Cell, the Delhi government has made 387,111 raids at public places and collected over Rs.5,549,098 in fines. However, there is an urgent need to take stringent action against those clubs, hookah bars and restaurants which are flouting the law," said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, executive director, Voluntary Health Association of India.

The public places where smoking has been banned include markets, workplaces, airports, railway stations, bus stands, hotels, restaurants, cinema halls and theatres.

"This rule of the Delhi government should also be emulated by other states to achieve the goal of making the country smoke free. In addition, the government must ensure the money collected as fine should be spent on tobacco control and public health," added Mukhopadhyay.