Centre's move to check smoking in films

The UPA Government at the Centre has taken a serious view of films containing scenes showing characters smoking tobacco and plans to check this evil in the interests of the younger generation.

The Health Ministry has already passed orders imposing some regulations on smoking scenes. But, Hindi film producer Mahesh Bhatt has challenged the order in the Supreme Court.

The Health Ministry and the Information and Broadcasting Ministries are planning a joint campaign to counter Mahesh Bhatt's petition in the apex court.

According to the Health Minister Dr.Anbumani, son of Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr. Ramadoss, besides the anti-smoking measures enumerated in the impugned order, some more regulations will be included to ensure strict compliance with the order.

He told mediapersons in New Delhi that his ministry has been contemplating measures like issuing "A" certificates to films with scenes showing artistes smoking tobacco, and setting up a committee to have such films under the scan. More important, the film-makers should have the slogan "smoking is injurious health" flashed during smoking scenes in their films.

The current statistics show that smoking scenes find place in 89 per cent of the films produced in the country.

The film industry, he said, should realize that this will affect the younger generation most and it is highly desirable that the film-makers themselves should come forward to have self-regulation without the Government having to intervene.