Shiv Sena corporator from Dahisar, Abhishek Ghosalkar, has demanded that cigarette smoking should be allowed on the lines of alcohol consumption – only if one has a permit. The son of MLA Vinod Ghosalkar has moved a notice of motion in the general body meeting in this regard. He was of the view that this will help control the smoking habit among minors and child laborers.
“Cigarette shops are all around the city at every nook and corner. This makes it easy for youngsters to cultivate smoking habits. Apart from college students and youngsters, schoolchildren also get attracted to cigarettes under peer pressure, especially if they are easily available,” said Ghosalkar.
He stated in the notice of motion that permits to drink alcohol, as per the Bombay Provisional Act, 1949, are issued to ensure that only adults consumed alcohol. “There are no similar restrictions on smoking, which poses a potential risk to teenagers and child laborers,” he said. He added that the health department should consider giving such permits, which will allow people to smoke and also to possess cigarettes.
