The news may sound bad for those who are into the habit of smoking as the Karnataka government came down heavily on IT companies asking them to curtail smoking. There are more than 2000 IT, BT and IT companies in Bengaluru.The department has now asked the companies to organize flash mob.

V Manjula, principal secretary, IT-BT, has reportedly issued a circular to five associations. These associations have to now send the circulars to all the companies asking them to take up ‘tobacco control’.

The associations to whom circular has been sent includes India Electronics and Semiconductor Association, Animation, Visual Effects, Games and Comics (ABAI), Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises, The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) and the Manufacturing IT (MAIT) that deals with hardware, training, R&D and hardware design. Manjula said that the move would protect the lakhs of workers who are vulnerable to passive smoking and would help to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA), prohibits smoking in public places across the country thereby protecting passive smokers who are worst effected by the smoke.

While speaking to TOI, Manjula said that mere circulars won’t serve the purpose, but the educated people in the companies already know where not to smoke. As per the reports published in DNA, Ashok Pamidi, Nasscom regional head, said that a majority of the IT companies were already implementing the specification in “spirit and in action”.

The circular has clearly laid down certain instructions which says:

1) All offices need to put up signage as per COTPA specifications.

2) Each floor, staircase and entrance to lifts should have boards prohibiting smoking in public places.

3) Companies should take proactive steps like forming self-help groups to encourage employees to quit smoking.

4) Spread awareness on tobacco hazards in the company through talks, staff awareness day, monthly newsletter, flash mobs etc.