India Urged to Ban Smoking Zones in Hotels, Restaurants, Airports

According to a report by telegraphindia, doctors, cancer patients, and hotels are urging the Indian government to ban designated smoking rooms in hotels, restaurants, and airports in order to protect the public from secondhand smoke.

Dr. Harit Chaturvedi, Chair of Cancer Care at Kesar Medical Center, stated: "Smoking exacerbates lung function impairment and lowers immunity. All designated smoking areas in hotels, restaurants, and even airports should be abolished to ensure a completely smoke-free environment. Most designated smoking areas rarely meet the requirements of COTPA, exposing our public to significant health risks due to secondhand smoke inhalation."

According to the 2003 Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), smoking is prohibited in all public places. However, smoking is still allowed in designated smoking areas in some public places such as restaurants, hotels, and airports.

Health activity expert Nalini Satyanarayan stated, "Passive smoking mostly occurs in restaurants, especially in hotels, eateries, bars, clubs, etc. Cigarette smoke can permeate from smoking zones into public areas. The COTPA needs to be amended to prohibit smoking in any location, as this aligns with the best interests of public health."

Currently, the Indian government has initiated the process of amending COTPA and has introduced the 2020 Amendment to the Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act.