Cops to eye smoking at IFFI

PANJIM, OCT 17
Cigarette puffing heroes and heroines and creative minds will have to be wary this time when they light a smoke at International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010.
Goa Government’s steering committee has decided to keep a close watch on those violating Anti-Tobacco Act during the forthcoming IFFI.
Police in plain clothes will be posted at the venue, who will track the violators and compound the fine, on the spot.
Directorate of Health Services’ State Level Steering Committee on Tobacco Control in its recent meeting has decided that pamphlets would be distributed along with delegate cards to make IFFI visitors aware of No Smoking Zone.
“They can walk out of premises and smoke. We will not allow the law to be violated. More care will be taken at Inox courtyard and at Kala Academy,” Dr Shekhar Salkar, member of the Steering Committee told Herald.
Dr Salkar, who is also General Secretary of National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), said that last time NOTE had complained about couple of cases involving film stars, who were found smoking in the premises.
“Rajat Kapoor and Radhika Apte were found smoking at the venue,” Salkar said adding that their pictures had appeared in the local newspapers.
State Government has decided to take Entertainment Society of Goa’s (ESG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manoj Srivastava and Crime Branch into confidence to launch tirade against the violators.
“We have already written to the Crime Branch and Srivastava over the issue,” he said.
Police officials from across the State will be oriented from November 15 to 22 on Anti-Tobacco Act.
IFFI kicks off in Panjim from November 22 onwards.
DHS’ State Level Steering Committee is formed to implement Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, which is operative in Goa since October 2, 2008.