The Indian government'sproposed ban on smoking scenes in films and television programmes has beendelayed from Oct 2 to Jan 1, 2006.

Following strong protestsfrom the film and TV industry, the Indian Information and Broadcasting Ministryinformed the Indian Health Ministry about the practical difficulties involvedin implementing the ban.

This is the secondpostponement of the ban, which was first announced by Indian health ministerAnbumani Ramadoss on World Anti-Tobacco Day on May 31 and was originally slatedfor August 15.

The date was put back to Oct2 following complaints from the entertainment industry, which was supported bythe Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The ban on smoking scenes wouldapply to all international films released in India as well as domestic films.