Indian hospital avenges spitting and smoking

Exasperated with people spitting on the premises and continuing to smoke cigarettes despite a ban, doctors at Kolkata's leading government hospital have literally gone on the warpath. They have put up posters on the hospital walls threatening offenders with physical punishment.

The ban on smoking is in place at Kolkata's SSKM hospital as are messages against spitting here and there. But with the offences continuing, doctors at the hospital have put up posters saying offenders will henceforth be simply beaten up.

"It is not our intention that we start beating up people. But we wanted to send a cultural shock. A cultural shock therapy can do wonders in behavourial modifications when the issue of smoking comes or when the issue of spitting comes," said Dr Abhijit Chowdhury, SSKM hospital.



Dr Anbumani Ramadoss may be pleased with the initiative, but visitors to the hospital are not even amused though they realise the threat of physical punishment is just that - a threat.

"The message could have been sent out differently. I don't think even this message will make much difference. Unless people want to do it, nothing will change," said Biplab Mondal, hospital visitor. "I feel this bit about "will be beaten up" should be changed," said Rajnarayan Banerjee, hospital visitor.

According to sources, the Kolkata Police has privately advised the hospital to remove the posters. But the doctors aren't willing. They are ready to risk a little public anger as long as their message goes out and their campaign makes a difference.

Video.