It refers to Supreme Court passing strictures against Union government that super-powerful tobacco-lobby prevents government to take harsher steps to prevent use of tobacco-products. Unfortunately tobacco-lobby in India is so strong that it even managed super-powered Group of Ministers to dilute area and design of pictorial-warnings on cigarette-packs.
Only remedy for effectively curbing smoking is to follow sensible countries like Bhutan and Ireland by imposing a complete ban on manufacture and sale of cigarettes. Revenue-loss from ban on cigarettes will be more than compensated by funds saved on tobacco-related diseases.
S Chandra Agrawal
Delhi