Ramadoss asks Buddha to quit smoking

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss now has a word of advice for West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya -- 'no smoking please'.

Known for his anti-tobacco campaign, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss now has a word of advice for West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya -- 'no smoking please'.

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"He (Bhattacharya) is a leader and leaders should be an example for others. He a senior person and does not need my advise (to quit smoking)," Ramadoss said.

A known chain smoker, Bhattacharya reportedly smokes in the privacy of his chamber despite a ban on smoking in the writer's building.

In West Bengal, a staggering a 70.2 per cent of men smoke including the chief minister, Ramadoss said. Ramadoss also cautioned the north eastern states which have the highest number of smokers in the country. "It is really alarming. We are going to have a special emphasis on the north east in out anti-smoking campaign," the minister said.