illusion8
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Thousands of cigarette cartons junked after ex-health minister's letter to the defence ministry urging it to ban tobacco on ships.
The Indian Navy has offloaded tonnes of cigarette cartons from its fleet of ships, submarines and offshore patrol vessels following the Centre's recent order to turn them into no-smoking zones.
The move comes after Harsh Vardhan, who was till recently the health minister, wrote to the defence ministry urging it to ban the sale of cigarettes in defence canteens. Tobacco is, however, not sold in defence canteens in India, but only aboard naval vessels, that too only to authorised personnel.
Cigarettes have now been dumped from India's largest aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, besides the INS Virat, one amphibious transport dock, 9 landing ship tanks, 9 destroyers, 15 frigates, one nuclear-powered attack submarine, 14 conventionally powered attack submarines, 25 corvettes, 7 mine countermeasure vessels, 10 large offshore patrol vessels, 4 fleet tankers and various auxiliary vessels and small patrol boats.
In March, a similar move was initiated in the US, where navy secretary Ray Mabus first cut subsidy on cigarette sale to defence personnel and then pushed ahead a plan to eliminate tobacco sales on all its bases and ships, as well as all Marine Corps facilities, as a way to improve the health of its personnel. This was, however, met with diverse views and is yet to be implemented.
In India, officials said the ban has been well-received by naval personnel's families, and is being followed by an information and education campaign.
Vikramaditya's commanding officer Captain Suraj Berry said they discarded 'several thousand cartons' of cigarettes meant to last 45 days before embarking on its recent journey to Mumbai. The ship housing 1,600 personnel is currently anchored off the Gateway of India as part of the 43rd Navy Day celebrations.
"The amount of stock carried differs from ship to ship and hence will be difficult to exactly quantify," said Captain Berry. "It is meant to last 45 days of sailing."
Sailors posted at INS Shikra said that the move had been taken sportingly by them. "The positive side is that naval families are relieved. Now they would want us to sail longer so that we eventually end up kicking the butt," said lieutenant commander Vikas Narwal, who flies the MiG-29 from INS Vikramaditya.
Indian Navy kicks the butt - Mumbai Mirror
Damn!! 45 days without a smoke? I would have jumped in the water on the second day.
The Indian Navy has offloaded tonnes of cigarette cartons from its fleet of ships, submarines and offshore patrol vessels following the Centre's recent order to turn them into no-smoking zones.
The move comes after Harsh Vardhan, who was till recently the health minister, wrote to the defence ministry urging it to ban the sale of cigarettes in defence canteens. Tobacco is, however, not sold in defence canteens in India, but only aboard naval vessels, that too only to authorised personnel.
Cigarettes have now been dumped from India's largest aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, besides the INS Virat, one amphibious transport dock, 9 landing ship tanks, 9 destroyers, 15 frigates, one nuclear-powered attack submarine, 14 conventionally powered attack submarines, 25 corvettes, 7 mine countermeasure vessels, 10 large offshore patrol vessels, 4 fleet tankers and various auxiliary vessels and small patrol boats.
In March, a similar move was initiated in the US, where navy secretary Ray Mabus first cut subsidy on cigarette sale to defence personnel and then pushed ahead a plan to eliminate tobacco sales on all its bases and ships, as well as all Marine Corps facilities, as a way to improve the health of its personnel. This was, however, met with diverse views and is yet to be implemented.
In India, officials said the ban has been well-received by naval personnel's families, and is being followed by an information and education campaign.
Vikramaditya's commanding officer Captain Suraj Berry said they discarded 'several thousand cartons' of cigarettes meant to last 45 days before embarking on its recent journey to Mumbai. The ship housing 1,600 personnel is currently anchored off the Gateway of India as part of the 43rd Navy Day celebrations.
"The amount of stock carried differs from ship to ship and hence will be difficult to exactly quantify," said Captain Berry. "It is meant to last 45 days of sailing."
Sailors posted at INS Shikra said that the move had been taken sportingly by them. "The positive side is that naval families are relieved. Now they would want us to sail longer so that we eventually end up kicking the butt," said lieutenant commander Vikas Narwal, who flies the MiG-29 from INS Vikramaditya.
Indian Navy kicks the butt - Mumbai Mirror
Damn!! 45 days without a smoke? I would have jumped in the water on the second day.
smoking in submarine is not dangerous and banned thing ?
Initial days it was very difficult especially when you attend a performance review 
....... But now it came to a stage that i find it irritating to stand next to a smoker.... I remember waiting for lift in a hotel and some one smoked there before and suffocation was kind of..... That is when i realised how i was troubling others all these days....
