List steps to avoid effects on smokers: Bombay HC – Times of India

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Wednesday asked the state to inform it about steps that could be taken to avoid the adverse effects of Covid-19 on smokers.
A bench of Justices S P Deshmukh and Girish Kulkarni was hearing a PIL on Covid-19 management. The state had previously been directed to inform about Covid-19 affecting those consuming tobacco and bidis. The HC had said if it is fatal to health of citizens, “measures would be required to be taken to ban sale of cigarettes and bidis during the pandemic.” Advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni said Tata Memorial Centre has submitted an expert’s opinion on June 15, in which reference is made to studies done worldwide. “30-40 papers published indicate smokers are likely to be more adversely affected… The opinion is an analysis of those papers,” said the AG. “Give your opinion on what can be possible steps taken by the government if there is adverse effect of Covid on smokers,” said Justice Kulkarni.