In October 2, 2008, smoking in public places was prohibited nationwide. The Supreme Court passed the interim orders on a public interest petition by the same Murli Deora seeking a direction to cigarette manufacturers to pay at least Rs.500 crores as compensation to be shared by the kin of those who have lost their lives or health owing to smoking. Deora also sought a ban on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors.
In agreement with former Congress MP, the Supreme issued a statement,
“Tobacco is universally regarded as one of the major public health hazards and is responsible directly or indirectly for an estimated eight lakh deaths annually in the country.
