Hemant Goswami Smoke Free Chandigarh

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Everything you can imagine is real Smoke Smoke Smoke Smoke- - -Free Free Free Free Chandigarh Chandigarh Chandigarh Chandigarh A Case Study A Case Study A Case Study A Case Study Hemant Goswami

description

Presenation by Hemant Goswami at the 14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health on the success story of 'Smoke Free Chandigarh"

Transcript of Hemant Goswami Smoke Free Chandigarh

Page 1: 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

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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

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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

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Strategic Approach

Used�a�soft�and�Hard�

approach�simultaneously

Did�all�what�was�required�without�any�

compromises

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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.

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Multiplying

Partners

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Partnering with stakeholders

• Youngsters,�Students

• Media

• Teachers

• Hoteliers

• Government

• Police

• Administration

• Local�community�leaders

• and… everyone�who�has�an�opinion�and�can�do�something

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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

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Opportunity

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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

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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

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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?�

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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.

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Strategic

Results

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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.”

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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)�

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Guiding and Training the EnforcersGuiding and Training the EnforcersGuiding and Training the EnforcersGuiding and Training the Enforcers

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Transferring Transferring Transferring Transferring the the the the

OwnershipOwnershipOwnershipOwnership

Sharing the CreditSharing the CreditSharing the CreditSharing the Credit

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Planning and Guiding the Government and officials

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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.

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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.��

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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

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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

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Results

&

Outcome

In Chandigarh

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EnforcementEnforcementEnforcementEnforcement

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Real Action had public supportReal Action had public supportReal Action had public supportReal Action had public support

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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

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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.

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Continued Challenges

To Sustain Smoke-Free Chandigarh

� Financial�support�from�the�Government�still�to�come

� Underground�Propaganda,�Corruption�&�…………

� Industry�interference

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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

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Sustaining? The Challenge

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