Smoking ban soon in city pubs

KOLKATA: The haze of smoke and the smell of burnt tobacco will soon vanish from city pubs and restaurants. Starting October 2, diners and tipplers will not be allowed to light up in between their pegs as the ban on smoking in public places comes into effect.
Even as smokers were getting used to restricting themselves to the smoking zones earmarked in restaurants, this will now force them to go without a puff altogether.The restaurants, on the other hand, are worried that the prohibition will cost them dearly.
Last May, the Union health ministry had declared that the Centre would strictly enforce the ban on smoking in public places from October 2. The announcement came after the existing law, brought out two-and-a-half years ago but which remained on paper, was modified to book offenders.
The state environment department, however, had no clue about the deadline. "For us, smoking in any public place is an offence. I have no idea if there is going to be any special drive in October," said Biswajit Mukherjee, a senior law officer in the department.
Restaurants in Kolkata are getting ready to implement the order, risking a sharp drop in footfalls. "Since the order has to be implemented, we are trying to inform them in advance. Smokers will find it irritating and difficult to accept. Initially, many might even prefer not to visit bars but things will eventually settle down," said Pratap Daryanani, owner of Oasis restaurant on Park Street.