Hemant Goswami Smoke Free Chandigarh
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Transcript of Hemant Goswami Smoke Free Chandigarh
Everything you can imagine is real
SmokeSmokeSmokeSmoke----Free Free Free Free ChandigarhChandigarhChandigarhChandigarhA Case StudyA Case StudyA Case StudyA Case Study
Hemant Goswami
The Resources Used
� Total�Grants/Financial�support�received�for�Smoke-Free�Chandigarh�
project�– Nil
� Government�Support�– Nil
� Indirect�Government�Support�- Nil
� Total�Money�Spent�– Less�than�5�Lakh (10,000�US$)�over�a�period�of�
one�year
(We�acknowledge�the�support�of�5000�US$�by�ACS,�Some�part�of�the grant�for�one�of�the�components�in�the�project)
A less traveled path
• Smoke-Fee�concept�was�a�less�traveled�path in�India
• No�Precedence�- Developed�our�own�learning�to�take�the�
challenge
• Ignored�Problem�– Challenge�to�bring�in�a�problem�like�
tobacco�to�the�forefront�which�is�often�ignored�because�
the�amount�of�work�this�problem�requires�is�massive.�
The�size�of�the�task�discourages�many.
The High’s & Lows
• The�Journey�to�Smoke-Free�Chandigarh�has�been�
studded�with�some failures�and�some�successes
• Every�action�has�a�component�of�failure�and�it�
remains�an�important�ingredient�of�success
• Failures�sharpens�the�learning�curve�……..�(But�one�must�test�and�try�… only�what�is�initiated�has�a�chance�to�
succeed)
As a Civil Society
• As�an�independent�civil�society�organisation,�we�did�what�every�
civil�society�should�do….
– Generate�Public�Opinion
– Add�and�involve�more�Partners
– Move�and�sensitize�the�authorities
– Remain�an�independent�watchdog
– Work�to�sustain�the�efforts
A workshop for police in 2003
Background to smoke-free Chandigarh
• Took�More�than�4�years�of�consistent�efforts.�
Experienced�failures�and�success.�A�lot�of�lessons�
were�learned.
• Used�the�Independent�Judiciary�(Public�Interest�
Litigations;�etc.)
• Kept�a�flow�of�complaints,�court�cases,�suggestions,�
criticism,�and…
• Persistently�carried�on�the�routine�activities�aimed�to�
sensitize�the�stake-holders�and�the�general�populace
Strategic Approach
Used�a�soft�and�Hard�
approach�simultaneously
Did�all�what�was�required�without�any�
compromises
Some unpleasant tasks
• We�also�caused�a�lot�of�trouble�to�our�friends�
in�the�Government�- to�increase�their�
sensitization�level�and�to�help�them�bring�
tobacco�to�their�priority�area
• Once�a�level�of�sensitization�(trouble�we�
caused)�reached�a�particular�level,�things�
changed.�We�softened�our�tone�and�assisted�
the�Government�to�do�the�needful.
Multiplying
Partners
Partnering with stakeholders
• Youngsters,�Students
• Media
• Teachers
• Hoteliers
• Government
• Police
• Administration
• Local�community�leaders
• and… everyone�who�has�an�opinion�and�can�do�something
Strategic Approach•Proper�planning�for�the�end�results
•Minimize�the�assumption�of�support�on�external�factors
•Have�a�clearly�defined�road�map
•Persistence�and�uncompromising�conviction
•Did�not�take�anyone�and�anything�for�granted… but�when�the�
threshold�level�reached�..�It�changed�everything
Opportunity
Right to Information Act 2005
• In�2005,�Right�to�Information�Act�(Freedom�of�Information�
legislation)�came�into�existence.�We�made�constructive�use�of�
this�legislation
• Filed�over�300�Right�to�Information�Petitions�and�asked�for�pin�
pointed�information�from�all�the�Government�departments
• This�helped�in�bringing�tobacco�control�to�the�forefront�and�
within�the�government�radar.�The�results�started�reflecting
The RTI Petition1. As�per�the�“Cigarettes�and�Other�Tobacco�Products�(Prohibition�of�Advertisement�and�Regulation�
of�Trade�and�Commerce,�Production,�Supply�and�Distribution)�Act, 2003” and�“Cigarettes�and�Other�Tobacco�Products�Rules,�2004” every�public�office�must�display�60X30�cm�boards�containing�the�warning�“No�Smoking�Area�– Smoking�here�is�an�offence.” Are�offices,�buildings�and�premises�of�Chandigarh�Police�and�under�the�control�of�Chandigarh�Police�displaying�such�warning�boards?
2. Provide�the�location where�such�warning�boards�as�required�under�the�Cigarettes�and�Other�Tobacco�Products�Rules,�2004�are�displayed�in�all�the�different� offices/buildings/�floors/premises�which�are�under�the�control�of�Chandigarh�Police�or�which�report to�your�office?
– Please�provide�address�of�all�such�premises/buildings and�the�number�of�warning�boards�affixed�in�each�office/premise/floor/building.
– Date on�which�such�warning�boards�were�first�displayed.
– Cost�incurred in�displaying�the�warning�boards.
3. Kindly�use�the�format�mentioned�below�to�reply:- Name of�the�office/Building/premise�Location- Number of�warning�boards�displayed�on�ground�floor�and�their�location�Number�of�boards�displayed�on�each�floor�- Total number�of�warning�boards�displayed�in�that�premise- Total�cost�incurred�on�preparing�and�affixation�of�the�board�- Date on�which�the�boards�were�first�displayed
The RTI Petition
5. What�is�the�designation�and�the�name�of�the�person�responsible/in-charge for;
1. Ordering�affixation�of�the�warning�boards�against�smoking
2. Executing�the�order�to�affix�such�warning�boards
3. To�be�held�responsible�for�not�displaying�the�statutorily�prescribed�warning�boards�and�for�the�purpose�of�the�penal�provision�under�Section�4�(Read�with�Rule�3)�of�the�“Cigarettes�and�Other�Tobacco�Products�(Prohibition�of�Advertisement�and�Regulation�of Trade�and�Commerce,�Production,�Supply�and�Distribution)�Act,�2003”.
6. Are�your�office�and�all�other�offices�under�the�control�of�this�office�providing�total�smoke-free�atmosphere�and�prohibit�smoking�in�all�parts of�the�building/premise.�Provide�a�list�of�all�offices/premises�under�the�control�of�your office�which�allow�people�to�smoke�within�the�building/premise�and�within�the�boundary�wall�of�the�premises.
7. How�many�employees,�whether�temporary�or�permanent,�including�officers�in�Chandigarh�Police�and�working�in�all�other�office/premises/buildings�under�Chandigarh�Police�smoke.
8. How�does�your�office/orgnaisation cope�with�the�frequent�breaks people�take�to�smoke?�What�are�the�rules including�departmental�rules�to�deal�with�the�increased�number�of�smoking�breaks�employees�take?�
The RTI PetitionThe RTI PetitionThe RTI PetitionThe RTI Petition9. Does�your�office/department�organize�workshops/seminars�or�intervention�programmes�for�employees�
who�consume�tobacco�to�help�quit�tobacco?�Is�any�kind�of�medical/psychiatric�assistance�made�
available�to�people�addicted�to�tobacco�in�office/department�under�your�control?�Allow�inspection�of�
records�relating�to�available�medical�assistance�to�employees�and�the�complete�record�of�the�
workshops/seminar,�etc.�conducted�by�or�for�employees�of�your�office.
10. How�many�people�have�been�fined�till�date for�smoking�in�any�of�the�office�premises�under�your�
control�or�reporting�to�your�office?�Provide�record�for�the�year 2004,�2005�and�2006.
11. In�case�any�of�the�laws�and/or�rules�related�to�tobacco�control�is�not�being�followed�in�your�office�or�
offices�operating�under�your�control;�please�provide�the�name�and�designation�of�the�highest�executive
officer�in�the�hierarchy�who�can�be�held�responsible�for such�non-adherence�of�the�laws/rules�related�
to�tobacco�control�legislation(s).
12. Kindly�arrange�to�immediately�provide�the�extracts,�certified�copies�of�documents�requested�(in�soft�
copy/electronic�form�or�hard�copies,�depending�on�the�availability)�after�the�inspection�of�the�requested�
files/documents/memo.
Strategic
Results
How RTI Helped
� Implementation�of�“Minor” acts�(as�perceived)�are�not�
a�“Priority” for�government.�The�heavy�workload�
within�the�Government�is�one�of�the�reasons.
� The�RTI�petitions�highlighted�that�an�important�law�
intended�for�public�welfare�was�getting�ignored
� Brought�to�focus�the�minimum�statutory�legal�
requirement�under�the�Act.�That�of�displaying�the�
“Warning�Boards.”
Outcome� Once�the�warning�boards�were�installed�(1800�
new�boards�appeared�– Year�0-1) in�all�government�departments,�police�stations,�hospitals,�schools,�etc..
………..Things�became�easier
� People�got�the�confidence�that�the�task�can�be�accomplished.�The�police�and�enforcement�agencies�got�the�moral�conviction�that�they�can�book�others�for�violations�(Because�they�were�following�the�law)�
Guiding and Training the EnforcersGuiding and Training the EnforcersGuiding and Training the EnforcersGuiding and Training the Enforcers
Transferring Transferring Transferring Transferring the the the the
OwnershipOwnershipOwnershipOwnership
Sharing the CreditSharing the CreditSharing the CreditSharing the Credit
Planning and Guiding the Government and officials
Using all other laws
Section�133�of�Cr.�P.�C. Conditional�order�for�removal�of�nuisance.�–
(1)�Whenever�a�District�Magistrate�or�Sub-Divisional�Magistrate�or�any�other�Executive�Magistrate�specially�powered�in�this�behalf�the�State�Government�on�receiving�the�report�of�a�police�officer�or�other�information�and�on�taking�such�evidence�(if�any)�as�he�thinks�fit,�consider�-- That�any�unlawful�obstruction�or�nuisance�should�be�removed�from�any�public�place�or�from�any�way,�river�or�channel,�which�is�or�may�be�lawfully�used�by�the�public:�or
That�the�conduct�of�any�trade�or�occupation�or�the�keeping�of�any�goods�or�merchandise;�is�injurious�to�the�health�or�physical�comfort�of�the�community,�and�that�in�consequence�such�trade�or�occupation�should�be�prohibited�or�regulated�or�such,�goods�or�merchandise�should�be�removed�or�the�keeping�thereof�regulated;�or
……..etc………..
Such�Magistrate�may�make�a�conditional�order�requiring�the�person�…….
(i) To�remove�such�obstruction�or�nuisance;�or
(ii)� To�desist�from�carrying�on,�or�to�remove�or�regulate�in�such�manner�as�may�be�directed,�such�trade�or�occupation,�or�to�remove�such�goods�or�merchandise,�or�to�regulate�the�keeping�thereof�in�such�manner�as�may�be�directed;�or
……..etc………..
Section�268,�284�and�290 of�the�Indian�Penal�Code�provides�as�under;
268.�Public�nuisance:--A�person�is�guilty�of�a�public�nuisance�who�does�not�act�or�is�guilty�of�an�illegal�omission�which�causes�any�common�injury,�danger�or�annoyance�to�the�public�or�to�the�people�in�general�who�dwell�or occupy�property�in�the�vicinity,�or�which�must�necessarily�cause�injury,�obstruction,�danger�or�annoyance�to�persons�who�may�have�occasion�to�use�any�public�right.
A�common�nuisance�is�not�excused�on�the�ground�that�it�causes�some�convenience�or�advantage.
284.�����Negligent�conduct�with�respect�to�poisonous�substance:�-- Whoever�does,�with�any�poisonous�substance,�any�act�in�a�manner so�rash�or�negligent�as�to�endanger�human�life,�or�to�be�likely�to�cause�hurt�or�injury�to�any�person,
Or�knowingly�or�negligently�omits�to�take�such�order�with�any�poisonous�substance�in�his�possession�as�is�sufficient�to�guard�against�any�probable�danger�to�human�life�from�such�poisonous�substance,
Shall�be�punished�with�imprisonment�of�either�description�for�a�term�which�may�extend�to�six�months,�or�with�fine�which�may�extend�to�one�thousand�rupees,�or�with�both.
290.�����Punishment�for�public�nuisance�in�cases�not�otherwise�provided�for:�-- Whoever�commits�a�public�nuisance�in�any�case�not�otherwise�punishable�by�this�Code,�shall�be�punished�with�fine�which�may�extend�to�two�hundred�rupees.
Using all other lawsSection�278�(IPC)�����Making�atmosphere�noxious�to�health:�- Whoever�voluntarily�vitiates�the�atmosphere�in�any�place�so�as�to�make�it�noxious�
to�the�health�of�persons�in�general�dwelling�or�carrying�on�business�in�the�neighbourhood�or�passing�along�a�public�way,�shall�be�punished�with�fine�which�may�extend�to�five�hundred�rupees.
Section�31�(Police�Act) Police�to�keep�order�on�public�roads,�etc.--It�shall�be�the�duty�of�the�police�to�keep�order�on�the�public�roads,�and�in�the�public�streets,�thoroughfares,�ghats and�landing-places,�and�at�all�other�places�of�public�resort,�and�to�prevent obstructions�on�the�occasions�of�assemblies�and�processions�on�the�public�roads�and�in�the�public�streets,�or�in�the�neighbourhood�of�places�of�worship,�during�the�time�of�public�worship,�and�in�any�case�when�any�road,�street,�thoroughfare,�ghat or�landing-place�may�be�thronged�or�may�be�liable�to�be�obstructed
Section�34.�(Police�Act) Punishment�for�certain�offences�on�roads,�etc.--Any�person�who,�on�any�road�or�in�any�1*[open�place�or]�street�or�thoroughfare�within�the�limits�of�any�town�to�which�this�section shall�be�specially�extended�by�the�State�Government,�commits�any�of�the�following�offences,�to�the�obstructions�inconvenience,�annoyance,�risk,�danger�or�damage�of�the�2*[residents�or�passengers]�shall,�on�conviction�before�a�Magistrate,�be�liable�to�fine�not�exceeding�fifty�rupees,�or�to�imprisonment�3*[with�or�without�hard�labour] not�exceeding�eight�days;�and�it�shall�be�lawful�for�any�police-officer�to�take�into�custody,�without�a�warrant,�any�person�who�within�his�view�commits�any�of�such�offences,�namely:- …………………..
Section�400.(MC�Act) Penalty�for�breaches�of�bye-laws.�- (1)�Any�bye-law�made�under�this�Act�may�provide�that�a�contravention�thereof shall�be�punishable�–
(a)�with�fine�which�may�extend�to�five�hundred�rupees;�or�
(b)�with�fine�which�may�extend�to�five�hundred�rupees�and�in�the case�of�a�continuing�contravention,�with�an�additional�fine�which�may�extend�to�twenty�rupees�for�every�day�during�which�such�contravention�continues�after�conviction�of�the�first�such�contravention;�or�
(c)�with�fine�which�may�extend�to�twenty�rupees�for�every�day�during�which�the�contravention�continues,�after�the�receipt�of�a�notice�from�the�Commissioner�or�any�Corporation�officer�duly�authorised In�that�behalf�by�the�person�contravening�the�bye-law�requiring�such�person�to�discontinue�such�contravention.
(2)�Any�such�bye-law�may�also�provide�that�a�person�contravening�the�same�shall�be�required�to�remedy�so�far�as�lies�in�his�power,�the�mischief�if�any,�caused�by�such�contravention.��
Section�269�(IPC) Negligent�act�likely�to�spread�infection�of�disease�dangerous�to�life:�--Whoever�unlawfully�or�negligently�does�any�act�which�is,�and�which�he�knows�or�has�reason�to�believe�to�be,�likely�to�spread�the�infection�of�any�disease�dangerous�to�life, shall�be�punished�with�imprisonment�of�either�description�for�a�term�which�may�extend�to�six�month,�or�with�fine,�or�with�both.�
270�(IPC) Malignant�act�likely�to�spread�infection�of�disease�dangerous�to�life:�-- Whoever�malignantly�does�any�act�which�is,�and�which�he�knows�or�has�reason�to�believe�to�be,�likely�to�spread�the�infection�of�any�disease�dangerous�to�life,�shall�be�punished�with�imprisonment�of�either�description�for�a�term�which�may�extend�to�two�years,�or�with�fine,�or�with�both
Section�2(34)(Motor�Vehicle�Act) “Public�place” means�a�road,�street,�way�or�other�place,�whether�a�thorough-fare�or�not,�to�which�the�public�have�a�right�of�access,�and�includes�any�place�or�stand�at�which�passengers�are�picked�up�or�set�down�by�a�stage�carriage;�
……………..etc………..
Using all other laws
Other Provisions
• Provisions in Motor Vehicle Act & Rules 1988
• Provisions in IT Act & Rules 2000
• Provisions in The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act 1946
• Provisions in Cinematograph Act 1952
• Provisions in Indian Railways Act 1989
• Provisions in Petroleum Act 1948
• Provisions in The Explosives Act & Rules – 1884
• Provisions in The Explosive Substances Act 1908
• Provisions in The Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985
• Provisions in The Mines Act, 1952
• Fire Safety Rules
Results
&
Outcome
In Chandigarh
EnforcementEnforcementEnforcementEnforcement
Real Action had public supportReal Action had public supportReal Action had public supportReal Action had public support
Strategic Communication
Strategy for the Strategy for the Strategy for the Strategy for the
MediaMediaMediaMedia
KEY AREA OF KEY AREA OF KEY AREA OF KEY AREA OF IMPORTANCEIMPORTANCEIMPORTANCEIMPORTANCE
What Resulted� Only City- State in India where all Hotels/ Restaurants are smoke-free
� Only City- State in India where all educational institutions are smoke-free
� The efforts have been for over one year now (July 15, 2007 to March, 2009) and the compliance level even as on date (Despite all the apathy and corruption) is High. Enforcement continues.
Continued Challenges
To Sustain Smoke-Free Chandigarh
� Financial�support�from�the�Government�still�to�come
� Underground�Propaganda,�Corruption�&�…………
� Industry�interference
Sustaining??? In the Third World
IF THINGS APPEAR TO BE SLOW & INERTIA SINKS IN
• Not�everyone�is�bad.�Use�good�people�and�make�the�moles�Work�OR�expose�them.
• In�June-July�2008�we�filed�over�500�police�complaints.�Each�complaint�informed�about�a�separate�incident�of�violation.
• Filed�200�criminal�complaint�cases in�the�court�of�DM�against�illegal�tobacco�vendors�
• Nearly�200�criminal�complaints�with�the�City�Executive�magistrate�against�vendors�selling�tobacco�within�100�yards�of�an�educational�institute.
• Continuously�expanding�the�scope�of�the�Act
Sustaining? The Challenge
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