AGARTALA, May 01 (TIWN): Nearly six years after the Union government banned smoking in public places, it continues to be a concern in many public places. People here can be seen smoking in public spaces without any fear of being fined by the authorities, the rule that smoking in public places is an offence exists only in papers.

According to Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), smoking in public places is an offence. As per the National Tobacco Control Act, if someone is caught smoking in a public place, he or she has to pay a fine of Rs 200.

Smoking in public places including auditoriums, railway stations, bus stands, hospitals, courts, administration buildings, hotels, libraries and education institutes is banned, said Dr. Sreelekha Ray of Voluntary Health Association of Tripura. “Yet, we cannot find any ‘No Smoking’ signs put up in such places. Also, business of cigarette and gutkha vendors thrives near renowned, government, aided and unaided schools and colleges,” she added.

Non-smokers feel that the authorities are not strict enough. 

“People can often be seen smoking in and around small roadside shops which sell tobacco items. What is astonishing is that the police fine people for every other offence but not this. Even when people smoke in front of a traffic constable or police, they look through them and walk away. There are people who object to public smoking and find it discomforting and smokers need to respect that,” says Madhuri Debroy, a professional.

Many say that they have often spotted people smoking inside the auto and outside hotels and restaurants but there is hardly any intervention. 

“I feel that many young people take up smoking because they think it is fashionable and makes them fit in a group. Roads and public spaces are where they can be seen puffing away with friends and that inspires more people to do it. I feel extremely uncomfortable to stand next to a smoker. I usually end up asking them to move, but it is the job of the police to fine them,” adds Deepak, a student.