The government has officially banned the depiction of smoking in film and tv serials from October 2. "We have reached a complete understanding about the manner in which we should go about," Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy said, after meeting health minister A Ramadoss.

Ever since the government assumed this stance on May 31, World Anti-Smoking Day, today's move comes after several deliberations, protests, and counter-deliberations, and it will not be unwise to assume that this is not a final verdict. It remains to be seen what the film and television industry's reaction to this statement will be, but it is clear that the stage is set for explosive debate.