SC issues notices to parties on a petition for ban on smoking

SC issues notices to parties on a petition for ban on smoking New Delhi | Friday, Mar 6 2009 IST The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre, film producer Mahesh Bhatt and others on a petition challenging Delhi High Court judgement lifting ban on smoking scenes in Hindi films. A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices Markandey Katju and P Sathasivam issued the notices after hearing counsel for the petitioner NGO, Consumer Online Foundation, which contended before the Court that the younger generation, particularly teenagers, are bound to take to smoking after seeing their heroes in the movies doing the same. The petitioner has also contended that millions of people die every year due to passive smoking which leads to fatal diseases like cancer. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had lifted the ban on smoking scenes in the movies on a petition filed by eminent Hindi film producer Mahesh Bhatt, who had contended that if other social evils like rape, dacoity can be shown in the films, why can't smoking scenes can be picturised? The apex court also issued notices on the application seeking interim stay on the operation of the Delhi High Court order. Last year, the Union government had banned smoking in public places on October 2 and the Supreme Court had declined to interfere with the ban order. -- (UNI) -- 06DI20.xml

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