Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010852370300.htm

Karnataka

Goa hotels implement ban on tobacco products

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: The Goa State Steering Committee for Tobacco Control Act has claimed that hotels in the coastal tourist State have done a good job in implementing the ban order.

Shekhar Salkar, cancer surgeon and General Secretary of the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), India, who is heading the committee, told The Hindu on Tuesday that a recent survey undertaken by NSS volunteers in eight Assembly constituencies of the State showed that 98 per cent of hotel owners were aware of the ban on smoking in hotels. Eighty-five per cent of the hoteliers had implemented the order in their hotels.

In all, 785 hotels and restaurants were surveyed in Panaji, Vasco, Margao, Mapusa, Thivim, Siolim, Canacona and Quepem constituencies, he said.

Positive sign

“This is a positive sign that awareness is created in hotels and restaurants,” said Dr. Salkar, hailing the survey report conducted at the behest of the committee. Interestingly, of the 785 hotels and restaurants surveyed, 14 (2 per cent) were not aware that smoking was prohibited on their premises, he said.

The success rate of display of signage-boards in the hotels was 50 per cent, according to the survey.

The committee has decided to launch a week-long drive by the police between January 15 and 21 across the State to implement the ban order on smoking in hotels and restaurants and display signboards for cent per cent success.