Question : BAN ON SPONSORING OF SPORTS CULTURAL EVENTS BY TOBACCO COMPANIES

(a) whether the Government propose to bring a legislation in the current session to ban sponsoring of sports and cultural events by cigarette and other tobacco product companies;

(b) whether it is also proposed to bring in banning of sale of these products to persons below the age of 18;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government propose to enact a legislation to prohibit smoking in public places; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)

(a) to (e) A comprehensive legislation which, inter-alia, includes provisions for banning of advertisement of tobacco products and sponsorship of sports and cultural events by tobacco companies as well as ban on smoking on public places and sale of tobacco products to minors has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 7th March, 2001.