Karnataka cracks down on tobacco use: Legal age raised to 21, hookah bars banned under new law
Karnataka has implemented a strict anti-tobacco law. Hookah bars are now banned. The legal age to buy tobacco has increased to 21. Penalties for violations are stricter. Public tobacco use is prohibited, with some exceptions. Selling single cigarettes is outlawed. The government aims to curb youth tobacco consumption with these changes. President Droupadi Murmu approved the amendment bill.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
In a sweeping public health reform, the Karnataka government has enforced a new anti-tobacco law that bans hookah bars, raises the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, and introduces stricter penalties for violations, PTI reported.The changes come after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on May 23 to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024.As per the revised Act, using tobacco in public places—defined to include both smoking and spitting—is prohibited. While exemptions for designated smoking areas are allowed in hotels with over 30 rooms, restaurants with 30+ seat capacity, and airports, general public spaces remain strictly off-limits.One of the most notable features of the amendment is a complete ban on hookah bars, regardless of whether they are located in pubs, cafes, or standalone lounges.The law defines a hookah bar as any establishment offering communal hookah or narghile smoking. Violators could face imprisonment ranging from one to three years, along with fines between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000.The amended law also prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 and bans tobacco sales within 100 meters of educational institutions. It further outlaws selling tobacco in loose or single sticks—a common practice in local markets.To strengthen enforcement, penalties under Sections 21, 24, and 28 of the Act have been increased fivefold—from ₹200 to ₹1,000—for smoking in public or selling tobacco to minors and young adults.The Karnataka government's move aligns with growing calls from health experts and activists nationwide for tougher tobacco regulations, especially to deter youth consumption.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Remaining S-400 defence system coming on time, says Russian envoy as he cites India-Pakistan conflict
Russian deputy ambassador Roman Babushkin to New India on Monday said India will receive the remaining regiments of the S-400 strategic air defence missile system by 2026, as scheduled. The S-400 missile system performed well in India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles. There have been talks of an additional batch of the missile system. 'We heard that S-400 performed very efficiently during the situation between India and Pakistan,' Roman Babushkin told news agency PTI. Acknowledging that India and Russia have a long history of collaboration, Roman Babushkin said the air defence systems, 'according to what we are experiencing, the situation in Europe, here, this is one of the promising topics of our partnership in defence preparation in general'. "As far as my knowledge goes, the contract for the remaining S-400 units will be according to the schedule. We are open for a promotion of this partnership for the discussion of the expansion of dialogue on air defence system... I think it will be done in 2025, 2026," he added. India inked a $5.43 billion contract with Russia in 2018 for five regiments. Of the five, three have been deployed along the western and northern fronts, bordering Pakistan and China, respectively. India had received the first regiment in December 2021, while the second and third were delivered in April 2022 and October 2023, respectively. Re-christened as 'Sudarshan Chakra', the S-400 can detect, destroy hostile strategic bombers, jets, spy planes, missiles and drones at a range of 380 kilometres. Going by information shared by the Indian government, the acquisition was to be completed by 2023, The New Indian Express reported, citing unnamed sources. The S-400 system's delivery schedule got delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict which affected supply chains and production, the report added. 'The S-400 Missile is a potent system in terms of its operational capability to provide a continuous and effective air defence system to a very large area. With the induction of this system, air defence capability of the nation will be significantly enhanced,' the ministry of defence had said in a statement in 2021. The S-400 system is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, at varying ranges and altitudes. It consists of three main components: missile launchers, a powerful radar, and a command centre. It is capable of targeting aircraft, cruise missiles, and even high-speed intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The S-400 is seen as a major threat by NATO members due to its impressive long-range capabilities. It can engage almost all types of modern combat aircraft.
Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Time of India
'BJP will win 10 out of 12 zones in MCD standing committee polls', says BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri
BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri (Image credit: ANI) NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said on Monday that the party is confident it can secure a majority in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Standing Committee elections. Speaking to ANI, Bidhuri said, "We will win the election of the standing committee. The BJP will win 10 out of 12 zones." He further said that the party's presence in the central government, the Delhi administration, and the MCD would ensure that development work continues without hindrance. "The BJP is in the centre, state (Delhi), and MCD, and all the work will go smoothly. The triple-engine government works according to the wishes of the people of Delhi," he added. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi's (MCD) chairmen, deputy chairmen of 12 ward committees, and two standing committee members--each from the South Zone and City-SP Zone--will be elected today. The election of the two standing committee members was necessitated after Prem Chauhan and Punardeep Singh Sawhney, who had been elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly, tendered their resignations. Prem Chauhan and Punardeep Singh Sawhney were the standing committee members from the Wards Committee South Zone and the Wards Committee City-SP Zone, respectively. "In pursuance of Sub-section (5) of Section 45 of the Act, these vacancies are to be filled up by the concerned wards committees in a meeting from amongst the Councillors of the Wards Committee", a notice from MCD said. The BJP and AAP are making every effort to ensure their candidates win. Out of the 12 ward committees, elections in three zones will be uncontested, as only one candidate is in each zone. The results will shape the standing committee's formation and reveal which party gains majority control to appoint its Chairman. Meanwhile, AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Sunday that the election will reveal the relationship between Congress and the BJP. "Tomorrow, there are elections for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the MCD Rohini zone. On one side is the panel of BJP-supported IVP, and on the other is the Aam Aadmi Party . The Congress president should tell whom the two Congress councillors will vote for tomorrow. Tomorrow, the relationship between Congress and the BJP will be revealed," he said on X. On May 24, with over two years still to go, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) shifted into mission mode for the 2027 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections, setting its sights on forming a huge majority in the civic body, a press release from the Aam Aadmi Party said. In a high-level strategy meeting held on Friday, senior AAP leader and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the MCD House, Ankush Narang, met with all party councillors to start the preparations. Former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia reviewed ward-level issues in detail and directed councillors to ensure immediate redressing. "Arvind Kejriwal has pioneered alternative work politics across India. Our goal now is to take this model to every household and make it even stronger," said Manish Sisodia.
India Gazette
26 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy honours martyrs with floral tribute on state formation day
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] June 2 (ANI): Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, on the occasion of Telangana Formation Day, paid a floral tribute to Telangana Martyrs at the Martyrs Memorial at Gun Park. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also extended wishes on the state formation day via X post, wrote, 'For the aspirations of the martyrs... For the aspirations of the people... For the welfare of the poor... For the dreams of farmers... For the economic self-reliance of girls... For the golden future of the youth... For the vision of Telangana Rising... On this auspicious day... Let us renew our commitment. Happy Formation Day to the people of the state.' Meanwhile, marking Telangana's 11th Formation Day, President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in extending warm greetings to its people, praising its rich cultural legacy and dynamic growth story. In a message shared on social media, the President lauded Telangana's journey as a young state swiftly emerging as a hub of cultural pride and economic progress. In a post on X, the President of India wrote, 'Warm greetings to the people of Telangana on Statehood Day! This young State has a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant modern ecosystem of economic and technological development. I wish that the people of Telangana march ahead on the path of progress and prosperity.' PM Modi also extended wishes and wrote, 'Greetings to the wonderful people of Telangana on their Statehood Day. The state is known for making innumerable contributions to national progress. Over the last decade, the NDA Government has undertaken many measures to boost 'Ease of Living' for the people of the state. May the people of the state be blessed with success and prosperity.' Union Home Minister Amit Shah also shared his message in both English and Telugu, celebrating Telangana's cultural richness and the hardworking spirit of its people. In a post on X, Union Minister Shah wrote,' On Telangana statehood day, warm greetings to our brothers and sisters of the state. With its rich culture, heritage, and hardworking people, Telangana shines brightly on India's ethno-cultural map. May the state reach new heights of prosperity.' He added, 'On the occasion of Telangana State Formation Day. Hearty greetings to my Telangana sisters and brothers. I am confident that Telangana State, which is adorned with high culture, traditions, and hardworking people, will shine brightly on India's cultural map and scale the highest peaks in its development path in the coming days. Telangana celebrates its 11th Formation Day. The state was officially formed on 2 June 2014. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), now Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), chief K Chandrashekar Rao was elected as the state's first Chief Minister, following elections in which the party secured a majority. (ANI)
