Cigarette smoking is injurious to health!
Not that you need to hear it from me, but just recently I went and met the father of my friend, a jovial, active and energetic person, who is now suffering from severe COPD, and is severely restricted in movements due to the oxygen tube that he needs to use almost for 24 hours a day.
About four of my friends/associates are into smoking and all are well educated, (graduates and double graduates), intelligent and able to defend their actions in rational or irrational arguments.
As the link between smoking and various illnesses and ailments are becoming more and more clear and published, I hope this crazy habit will see its end soon.
The companies are squeezing life out of every smoker and filling the coffers. I don't know what logic or justification they have to continue to sell this slow poison.
So, it is with happy feeling that I welcome a very good step in one of the many steps towards reducing Cigarette smoking in India. I hope and wish that the government does not stop here and continue the many steps towards reducing Cigaratte smoking in India. Just like Polio eradication and TB eradication, I think we need a tobacco eradication program for India.
Here is the link to the article that talks about the government move - http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-10-16/news/55107234_1_pictorial-warnings-health-warnings-proposed-warnings
The health minister Harsh Vardhan, has said that they have made a Number of suggestions on curbing tobacco consumption and this is just one of them. Good!
The only regret in this the date of implementation is fixed as Apr 1, 2015. There is a saying "Subhasha seekram" - If it is a good thing, do it fast. Would've been good if the implementation date is earlier.
Anyway, Kudos to the Health ministry and to the government in thinking and implementing these steps.
If you do know of any organization(s) that are helping smokers quit or fighting against smoking, please add as comment or email me. I will update the post.
Not that you need to hear it from me, but just recently I went and met the father of my friend, a jovial, active and energetic person, who is now suffering from severe COPD, and is severely restricted in movements due to the oxygen tube that he needs to use almost for 24 hours a day.
About four of my friends/associates are into smoking and all are well educated, (graduates and double graduates), intelligent and able to defend their actions in rational or irrational arguments.
As the link between smoking and various illnesses and ailments are becoming more and more clear and published, I hope this crazy habit will see its end soon.
The companies are squeezing life out of every smoker and filling the coffers. I don't know what logic or justification they have to continue to sell this slow poison.
So, it is with happy feeling that I welcome a very good step in one of the many steps towards reducing Cigarette smoking in India. I hope and wish that the government does not stop here and continue the many steps towards reducing Cigaratte smoking in India. Just like Polio eradication and TB eradication, I think we need a tobacco eradication program for India.
Here is the link to the article that talks about the government move - http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-10-16/news/55107234_1_pictorial-warnings-health-warnings-proposed-warnings
- To increasing the pictorial warning to 85% of the package. - 60% picture and 25% text. I would say a picture speaks a 1000 words, 85% picture would've been good.
- Further it also moves the companies towards removing the glossy packaging and making them plain - to reduce the attraction for youth.
- The warnings are to be done on both sides of the packet.
The health minister Harsh Vardhan, has said that they have made a Number of suggestions on curbing tobacco consumption and this is just one of them. Good!
The only regret in this the date of implementation is fixed as Apr 1, 2015. There is a saying "Subhasha seekram" - If it is a good thing, do it fast. Would've been good if the implementation date is earlier.
Anyway, Kudos to the Health ministry and to the government in thinking and implementing these steps.
If you do know of any organization(s) that are helping smokers quit or fighting against smoking, please add as comment or email me. I will update the post.
