Smoke alarm

A puzzling fact came up when the New York City health department did a study recently. It found that more than half of all non-smokers in New York have elevated levels of a nicotine by-product in their blood, indicating exposure to cigarette fumes.

But only 23.3 per cent of adults smoke in New York, compared to the US national average of 29.7 per cent, and it has a strict ban on smoking in public places. So the only explanation researchers could come up with was that New Yorkers were paying the price of living in an unusually dense urban environment. Constant exposure to even a very low level of nicotine in apartment complexes, office corridors and on the road may be enough to cause significant harm even to non-smokers.

So will a survey of Mumbai show up similar results? We live in cramped spaces, jostle one another on sidewalks and could well be paying for the indulgence of the city’s smokers, with women and children suffering the effects of passive smoking the most.
Last October, the government banned cigarette smoking at all public places. Discos, night clubs, restaurants, and bars have all put put up ‘no smoking’ boards and health inspectors have the right to fine offenders.

But eight months since the ban was imposed, official figures with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) show that only 395 individuals have been fined, with the total fine amount being collected standing at a mere Rs79,000.

“The lack of manpower makes it difficult to implement such a huge project. We are doing what we can. But two-thirds of the eating houses have responded favourably and citizens have been receptive to our campaign,” says an official with the BMC’s health department.

Despite the low-key nature of the deterrent, Neha Nadig, 24, is glad the public smoking ban is in place. “I am a TV reporter and spend a lot of time with a chain-smoking cameraperson. I am allergic to the smoke but had to put up with it because there was no way out. But after the ban he is careful not to smoke in the vehicle. Even when I go out partying these days, I no longer come home smelling of smoke like I used to. It is a great ruling,” she says.

On the other hand, there are still many smokers who say the ban is draconian and kills the joy of socialising. If you can smoke in a corner where you are not likely to offend or irritate someone then why should it be treated as a cardinal sin, asks Anuradha B, 32. She says outings are no longer the same since the ban came into effect. “Hotels and restaurants can provide smoking rooms. The idea of banning it completely is ridiculous. It was so nice being able to round off a dinner with a smoke and a drink,” she says.

Pubs and bars are handling the ban in different ways. Those that have enough space have reserved a smoking zone for their patrons. Red Light in Colaba, and Hawain Shack and H20 in Bandra have let their customers smoke in special corners.
Sunny Sara of Red Light says that the ban has not impacted his business in a big way. “It may have taken a 5 per cent hit when the ban was first imposed but now we are back to normal. In fact, the industry views this ban as a service that the hospitality industry can provide its customers,” says Sara.

Smaller hangouts expect their customers to go out and light up, but they continue to draw resentment. “It is very irritating to walk out for a smoke when you are in the middle of a meal or a conversation,” says Rishab Mehta, 30.

The medical fraternity says it is still very difficult to convince people to give up smoking for their own as well as other people’s sake. “The approach to the smoking ban should be holistic and inculcated through education and awareness,” says cardiologist Sadanand Shetty. 

Dr Kushagra Katariya, cardiothoracic and vascular diseases expert, who recently returned from the US, agrees there needs to be a concerted effort. “In the West the attitude towards tobacco is intolerant — media, role models and the government all strive to discourage smoking,” he points out.

New studies are throwing up alarming facts about smoking: nicotine gives out 4000 different sub-compounds; it releases the highest number of carcinogenic substances and it does not dissipate easily in the environment. Dense urban centres in India, like Mumbai, are particularly vulnerable to smoke in the environment.

“There is no acceptable amount of nicotine exposure. It is plain and simply dangerous even if it’s a small amount,” says Dr Katariya.