1k fine for smoking in public, hookah bars banned in state
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Ranchi: Smoking, consuming or spitting tobacco in public will now be punishable worth Rs 1,000 courtesy a new law to which President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on Wednesday.
The Raj Bhavan, in a statement, said Murmu had given her assent to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) (Jharkhand Amendment) Bill of 2021'.
The bill was passed by the state assembly in 2021. Aimed at putting tighter curbs in place for sale and usage of tobacco items in the state, the new law will come into effect soon after the state govt notifies it in an official gazette, officials said.
Following the amendment, a fine of Rs 1,000 will be imposed for smoking or consuming tobacco or spitting. Earlier, the fine was Rs 200. Besides the penalty, provision for jail term is also included.
The amendment also covers hookah bars banning its operation. Hemant Soren govt had introduced and passed the amendment bill in 2021 following a thorough debate in the state assembly. Then Gomia MLA from Ajsu party, Lambodar Mahto, had demanded a fine of Rs 10,000 for offenders during the debate over the bill, which was turned down by the state govt.
Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said the district health department will begin enforcing new law after receiving directives from state. "Even though the administration and health department has taken steps under COPTA rules, we will begin imposing fresh penalties on violators after formal directives from govt," Kumar said.
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