CHENNAI: From October 2, the ban on smoking in public places will be implemented stringently in Tamil Nadu, Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj has said. Students will have to act as ambassadors, as they will be most effective in checking the smoking habit. Participating in a function to launch the Tobacco Control Task Force in universities, colleges and schools in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Subburaj said the government would form rules to implement the Act. While in the West, the number of smokers who had kicked the habit was growing, India and China had very few ex-smokers. Statistics showed that 40 per cent of all cancers in India were tobacco-related. Also 70 per cent of smokers would be in the age group of 30-69 years, he added. Many smokers were not aware that the habit led to sterility and male impotency. The programme was organised jointly by the Tobacco Cessation Centre-Cancer Institute (WIA), State NSS Cell, State Tobacco Control Cell, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, World Health Organisation and the NSS unit of the University of Madras. Pat for Anbumani Launching the task force, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala appreciated the efforts of Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss to make India smoke-free. The law should be strictly enforced and punishment for violation should be made severe. He said that creation of awareness on the ill effects of tobacco use should be undertaken on a massive scale. He urged the heads of various religious institutions to involve themselves wholeheartedly in the anti-tobacco campaign. Declaring educational institutions