In the year of No Smoking, Bollywood celebs speak out on whether smoking must be banned in public places
On screen smoking has been an issue of constant controversy. When Shah Rukh Khan was shown smoking on screen when he went to catch the T20 match, there was an uproar from certain quarters on a celebrity smoking in public.
As the debate rages, we caught up with celebs to ask them how they feel about the issue...and smoking in general.
Akshaye Khanna
Smoking should be banned in public places. But not in movies
Hema Malini
Yes, smoking should definitely be banned in both public places and in films
Amrita Arora
It's better to ban smoking in public and in movies. It's only fair to people who don't smoke… not to mention the lungs of those who do.
Malaika Arora
It should be banned in public places. But on screen? I really don't see the purpose.
Saif Ali Khan
Smoking should be banned in closed public spaces. But why ban it on screen? It's just acting and everyone knows it.
Lilette Dubey
I am against banning smoking in open public places. To smoke is a personal choice, and we are a democracy. As long as we don't offend someone by polluting his or her space there's no harm in smoking. However on screen it's a different matter.
There's a huge impressionable audience. So smoking should be banned on screen. If screen icons are shown smoking it immediately becomes cool. We've to accept the fact that films wield a great influence.
Shabana Azmi
Yes, smoking should be banned in public spaces. But not on screen. Because smoking could reveal a lot about a character especially if it's a woman. And to me endorsement of cigarettes by celebrities is a big a no. But banning isn't the solution.
We've to create enough awareness so that people would want to give it up on their own, as was the case in the US.. Children should be so aware of the damages done by smoking that they should stop their parents from smoking.
Javed Akhtar
Public places? Yes, smoking should be banned. On the screen? No!
Neil Mathur
There should be areas marked for smokers in public. But I see no reason to ban smoking from screen. If a script demands a character to smoke why not? So many vices are depicted. Do we ban all of them?
Sudhir Mishra
I've just managed to quit smoking. But I think there should be enclosed spaces in public places for smokers.
Sammir Dattani
I think some people of my generation, both male and female think smoking is cool. However, it's not because they saw Shah Rukh smoke in Don. Those who are smokers won't quit if smoking is not shown in films.
Iqbal Khan
Yes, it should be banned in public places. But cinema is another matter. There we're looking at the filmmaker's vision. Cinema is an art form. And art needs space.
Irrfan Khan
In public places, yes! Smoking must be banned since it's one of the primary sources of air pollution.
Muzammil Ibrahim
Smoking in public places should be banned. It's a nuisance and a health hazard for non-smokers. Why should the non-smokers suffer for the addiction of a group of people? And in films there should be no smoking unless the character won't work without a cancer stick in his mouth like John Abraham in No Smoking.
Dino Morea
On screen? No ban. I think individuals should be able to make their own decision. If movies really influence the public so much then ban cartoons too. Tom & Jerry has more violence than any film. As for public places I ageee smoking should be banned. Or have private smoking areas, as passive smoking is also harmful.
Rakhi Sawant
I agree with Hemaji. Smoking should be banned, bas.
Arshad Warsi
I can understand the need to ban smoking in public places. But ban smoking in films? No way! And if the government wants us to do what they want, why don't they fulfil at least 10 per cent of their promises?
Randeep Hooda
Smoking should be banned in public places. Or there should be a smokers' area, as passive smoking is worse. As for banning smoking on screen, people don't start killing one another after watching violence.
Why would they start smoking after seeing it in the movies? In a democracy, to smoke or not to smoke should be an individual choice. And if the powers-that- be care, why not ban tobacco products first
Kangana Ranaut
No I don't think smoking should be banned. But no one should smoke in front of babies. As for the movies, we should be allowed to do what we want to within limits. Nothing should come in the way of our creativity.
Smoking is not the only thing that's injurious to health. What about noise pollution in pubs? We all have to leave our bodies one day anyway. Some sooner than others. No worries.
Mona Singh
Yes, smoking should be banned in public places. Otherwise separate zones should be provided for smokers and non-smokers. On screen the decision to show smoking should be left to the filmmaker depending on the storyline and situation. Banning smoking wouldn't have the desired result as those who are addicted to smoking will continue to do so.
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