If you still feel that smoking is not injurious to health, see warnings given in different parts of world.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/aggressive-cigarette-pack-warnings-slideshow/
Today, I saw an advertisement in local Hindi daily. This is by smokeless tobacco manufacturers (Gutkha). The advertisement says- 14 states consider that cigarette smoking is good for health. This is indeed ironic. The advertisement highlights the fact that smokeless tobacco is banned by states but cigarette is still allowed as Cigarette companies are very big and powerful whereas Gutkha manufacturers are small entrepreneurs scattered throughout the country.
I also saw that ad by Kaththa manufacturing companies trying to represent their case as they found cigarettes containing more harmful contents than Gutaka but I think both of these items are as harmful. Although this should be left for user to decide and government should only see to it that no harmful effects are spreading due to these.
But katha manufacturers missed a point. Cigarette is a fire hazard also unlike smokeless tobacco. They have only tried to express resentment in banning smokeless tobacco only whereas cigarettes are still open for sale. This is discriminatory treatment. Government should ban all forms of tobacco or clearly state reasons for banning only Gutkha and not cigarettes.
G. K. Ajmani Tax consultant http://gkajmani-mystraythoughts.blogspot.com/
