Karnataka deputy chief minister Parameshwara hints at statewide smoking ban
Hinting at a statewide ban on smoking, deputy chief minister and Bengaluru district in-charge minister G Parameshwara said like how Gujarat state set a precedent by banning liquor, Karnataka should set a record by banning cigarette smoking
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FollowBengaluru: Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara hinted at imposing a statewide smoking ban on the lines of the Gujarat model of liquor ban.
Parameshwara said this during the launch of the mobile app  'Smoke Free Bengaluru'  and anti-smoking campaign, organised by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to address the public smoking menace and bring in awareness among the public.
Recalling how the warnings are not taken seriously when it comes to health, Parameshwara said, "I was going by bus to school and despite warnings on the bus about the ban on cigarette smoking, the co-passengers sitting next to me used to smoke beedis. I picked up fights several times with such persons."
He said, despite knowing about the health risks displayed on liquor bottles, cigarettes pack and gutkas, people do not pay heed to them. The police should crack on public smoking and ensure no shops come up near educational institutions, he said.
In the launch event, Bengaluru city mayor Gangambike, BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad, city police commissioner T Suneel Kumar were present and unveiled an anti-smoking campaign banner.
In Karnataka, there is a ban on smoking in public places. However, many don't follow it.
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