Question : BAN ON SMOKING AT RAILWAY STATIONS

(a) whether blanket ban has been imposed on smoking at the railway platforms;

(b) whether some snacks stalls at the railway platforms at some railway stations are still selling gutkha, cigarettes, tobacco etc.;

(c) whether any inquiry is being conducted in this regard;

(d) if so, the number of persons and stall-owners against whom action has been taken for selling gutkha, cigarettes, tobacco etc. during the last two years; and

(e) the number of persons who were found smoking were arrested since July,1999?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): There is ban on sale of bidi/cigarette, gutka and tobacco products on Railways.

(c) & (d): Since imposition of ban, 43 cases of selling such products have been reported and heavy punitive action has been taken.

(e): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the Sabha.