Eight months after a ban was imposed on smoking in public places,a survey conducted by a local NGO has revealed that a large number of Mumbaikars are increasingly becoming aware of the ill-effects of smoking and are opposed to it. The Salaam Bombay Foundation,which conducted the survey at the Kala Ghoda Fair,questioned around 2,000 people from all levels of society to know how they would react when confronted with certain situations. The results were overwhelmingly positive,says the organisation,with 40% of those surveyed even suggesting an outright ban on tobacco products. The study revealed that most people would not hesitate asking a friend,elder or even a boss to leave the room if they are smoking,a surprising change of attitude from a few years ago. The most vocal support seems to come from the youth,with 60% of those surveyed admitting to being very bothered by smokers. Devika Chadha,Project Director of the Foundation,believes that this is because children and youth understand the long term implications of tobacco usage on their health and are thus motivated to take instant action. In fact,of the 1,912 people surveyed,a total of 82% claimed to not use any tobacco at all and another 85% claimed to know of the ills of tobacco,showing a high level of awareness among the people. When asked for suggestions on how to decrease tobacco usage,60% of women asked for better education in schools about the harmful effects of tobbaco. Seema Sood,CEO of the Salaam Bombay Foundation,said,Parents do not want their young ones to pick up the habit. Many people I know have quit once they have kids. However,the situation is not as good in rural areas where lack of awareness results in rural children chewing tobacco from a young age. Their parents do not consider it to be as harmful as smoking. To combat this social evil,the Ministry of Health has set up a new,nationwide toll free number,1800-110-456,to allow people to report public smoking ban violations,the NGO added.
