'I'll not be seen smoking in public again'

National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication, an anti-tobacco organisation had asked the actor to quit smoking after he was allegedly spotted smoking on a college campus.

Arshad Warsi

Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi has promised that he will not be seen smoking in public places again.

National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), an anti-tobacco organisation had asked the actor to quit smoking for betterment of his health after he was allegedly spotted smoking on a college campus in Margao town, 40 kms away from here, during a shoot recently.

Responding to the letter by NOTE, Warsi said, "Henceforth I will ensure that I throw away the cigarette before I make public appearance."

The 42-year-old actor further said that he was smoking in his vanity van parked far away from the college building, when a group of youngsters knocked on the door.

"As usual I go out of my way for my fans and I came out to sign the autographs, involuntarily holding the cigarette in my hand," the actor said.

The NGO has already made Goa government fine the college management under the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COPTA) which prohibits smoking in public places like educational institutions.