Be The Change

Smoke “free” city
On May 15, I was on my way back from Pinjore. When I entered Chandigarh I saw city beautiful covered with banners with a picture of bamboo plant on them. City beautiful had become smoke-free. It was a really pleasant surprise for me. The first utterance was- "WOW". I started thinking about its consequences, benefits and all. Then I remembered the case when Bhutan government imposed a ban on tobacco. Even after the ban was imposed cigarettes were easily available at any small pan shop. The only difference was that they cost double after ban. This thought converted my pleasant surprise in to worry and I thought that if the administration fails to enforce the ban efficiently, it may harm the rapport of the city. Although I was arguing with myself that Chandigarh administration is better than any other when it comes to law enforcement. For instance; for two wheeler riders wearing helmet is mandatory everywhere, but it's in Chandigarh only where people don't ride without helmet and all credit goes to the administration for its firm attitude towards the law violators. This thought relaxed me a bit. But then the picture of my home state appeared in my mind when our then CM imposed a ban on liquor which proved to be a complete failure. It just provided the opportunity for smugglers who mushroomed in the state during that period. I was curious to see the consequences, effects, and the administration's capability in particular. And now it's been quite long and the flamboyant administration has failed this time. If it were for far flung corners of the city then it may not have been termed as failure but sector 17, which is known as the heart of the city beautiful is still coughing due to the stiffness of the smokers and failure of the administration. I was thinking that cigarettes would be still available on higher costs but I was wrong cigarettes here available at same costs and at any panwala (any small shop). It is easiest thing to get a cigarette there. Weather it is sector 15, 11 or any other so called posh area the story remains the same. Even men in uniform were seen smoking freely in public places. Are we helping the administration for successful enforcement of the ban? Is this SMOKE “FREE” CITY?
-Radhe.