Gujarat based Rajkot People's Cooperative Bank is the only bank which has taken steps to discourage tobacco consumption at all level of operations. The bank has launched 'No tobacco' campaign in the banking sector.

"As a policy, we charge one per cent higher interest from loan seekers who happen to be tobacco chewers," Founder Chairman of Rajkot People's Cooperative Bank (RPCB) Shamji Khut said.

"The bank's board had passed a resolution to this effect around two and a half years ago, and since then its in force," he said."Till now only one customer has refused to take loan from us stating that I cannot quit tobacco chewing even if you charge me two per cent higher interest," Khut said.

"The bank does not recruit any persons who has any kind of tobacco addiction. We at present have a strength of 74 employees," Khut said.

"As a rule we can terminate the service of an employee if he is found consuming tobacco in any form. Even a board of director has to submit his resignation if found consuming tobacco," Khut said.