epages News [Office Supplies Showrooms, July 2004] Parliament House declared a No-Smoking Zone from today Jul 05, 2004: The august Parliament House may enter a new phase in its distinguished life, with its General hall and lobbies being declared a ‘No Smoking’ zone and out of bound for those members and others concerned who enjoy sending puffs of swirling rings circling into pure thin air courtesy alluring cigarettes. The same has been announced by the speaker Mr Somnath Chatterjee after a meeting with various party parliamentary leaders and would be passed in the coming session.
When asked whether the other age old menace of betel leaf (pan) chewing will also meet the same fate, he said the same was not discussed but would be considered at a later date. It is revealed that several young Parliament members had taken up the matter and recommended its ban. It may also be added that the nation’s highest court Supreme Court had banned smoking in all public buildings.
The twin combination of smoking and pan chewing has played havoc with people’s lives and also caused environmental degradation. Once the darling of the masses and the classes alike, of late both have come to be recognized as an evil that needs to be curbed and a reign of clean and neat environment spread to usher in the era of clean and good living and possibly high thinking.
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