Question

In the question below is given a statement followed by two courses of actions numbered I and II. A course of action is a step or administrative decision to be taken for improvement, follow-up or further action in regard to the problem, policy, etc. On the basis of the information given in the statement to be true, then decide which of the suggested courses of action logically follow(s) for pursuing.

Statement:

With an aim to curb tobacco consumption - which kills more than 900,000 people each year in India - the government has in recent years raised tobacco taxes, started smoking cessation campaigns and introduced laws requiring covering most of the package in health warnings.

But a court in southern Karnataka state last month quashed those labelling rules after the tobacco industry successfully argued the measure was “unreasonable” and violated its right to trade.

The government this month appealed the ruling in the Supreme Court which put on hold the Karnataka court order. The top court will next hear the case on March 12.

Course of actions:

1. The government should request the Supreme Court to allow her to classify tobacco as “res extra commercium”, a Latin phrase meaning “outside commerce.”
2. The government should request the companies of the Tobacco industry to stop selling tobacco products because of severe health implication of tobacco.

1. Action 'I' should be followed
2. Action 'II' should be followed
3. Either action 'I' or action 'II' should be followed
4. Both actions should be followed
5. Neither of action should be followed

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Action 'I' should be followed

The only action 'I' is wise to be followed.

Categorizing tobacco as “res extra commercium”, meaning “outside commerce”, would stop tobacco industry to use the arguments of “right to trade” in the court of law and would help the government to impose strict rules and regulation over the tobacco industry to ensure its public health. So, I should be followed.

It doesn’t seem wise to approach the Tobacco companies to request them to stop selling tobacco products because of the health implication of tobacco because the knowledge of severe health implication of tobacco is available for over a long time. Had tobacco companies cared for the public health, they would have stopped trading in tobacco a long time ago, but, in reality, this is not the case.

So, following 'II' wouldn’t be effective.