With a view to check the smoking menace, the Delhi High Court has issued show-cause notices to the Central and the Delhi governments. They have been asked to explain why a petition seeking the ban of smoking in public places -- filed by Rajesh Chawla, a cardiologist and president of the Lung Care Foundation -- should not be admitted.

Tobacco consumption in India has increased by 2.1 per cent, compared to a 1.1 per cent reduction in the US and UK. The Centre and the state government have been asked to file their replies by October 8.