The Smoky Image

31st May was the World No Tobacco Day. Today onwards, cigarette packets are supposed to feature pictorial health warnings. But is that going to dissuade the smokers in any way? Even from smoking in public places?

With much fanfare, a ban was enforced on public smoking in the country in October 2008. Even after that, smokers allover India, have made a mockery of the rule. Though smoking in public vehicles and to some extent in public placeshave reduced considerably, the initiative is yet to get whole-hearted support from the smoke-lovers.What is intimidating is that even the civilised society does not understand the implication of a court ban! In mostof the IT parks in the Salt Lake City, Kolkata, you will find people (most of whom are considered to be the creme de la creme of the society) smoking inside the building premises, which strictly are 'No-smoking' zones. If a court verdict cannoteducate us, what is the guarantee of success of another such initiative? Nevertheless, we should keep on trying.

And here is an advice for our Health Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad from Prahlad Kakkar. The veteran adman in his impeccable style proposes the inclusion of Salman Khan pictures on the cigarette packets. Given the long list of karnamas of the bad boy of the tinselville (he got drunk, killed people on the road, got into umpteen fisticuffs and people still kiss his ass, every time he passes by.), Salman is all what smoking is about, proposes Kakkar.

Sounds good. What you say?