Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss on saturday requested the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to ban the smoking in public places. He said that the non implementation of the smoking ban has affected the non smokers like children and woman. Though there was a rule enforcing the ban of smoking in public places, the minister holds that the failure of the state to implement it in an efficient manner has lead to the increasing number of rule breakers in the state. “There is no proper implementation of cigarette ban in the state which is affecting non-smokers, especially women and children. It is a matter of concern that the ban is not being implemented,” said Mr Ramdoss. The minister also said that ten percent of the national cigarette sale was in the state and hence he called for immediate action to curb the further increase of smokers in the state.