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Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Govt hikes tobacco fine to Rs 1,000
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has published a gazette notification increasing the fine for public use of cigarettes and tobacco products from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. The government has also raised the minimum legal age for purchasing cigarettes and tobacco products from 18 to 21 years, according to a statement issued by the Health Ministry on Saturday. Additionally, the government has banned the opening or operation of hookah bars across the state. The order has been issued in the name of the Governor by the Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation, G. Sridhar. This decision follows the assent of President Droupadi Murmu 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. The new Act amends the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (Central Act 34 of 2003) as it applies to the state of Karnataka. The amendment specifies that no person shall use tobacco products in any public place. The term 'use' includes both smoking and spitting of tobacco. The sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products is now prohibited: To any person under the age of 21 years; within a 100-meter radius of any educational institution; in loose form or as single sticks. The Act also states that no person shall open or operate a hookah bar, either individually or on behalf of another person, in any location—including eating houses, pubs, bars, or restaurants—regardless of what they are called. According to the new provisions, anyone who violates Section 4A of the Act shall be punishable with: Imprisonment of not less than one year, which may extend up to three years; a fine of not less than Rs 50,000, which may go up to Rs 1 lakh. The Act further allows that in hotels with 30 or more rooms, restaurants with a seating capacity of 30 or more, and at airports, a designated smoking area or space may be provided. Karnataka joins the league of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat states, which have implemented similar amendments to strengthen public health protections against tobacco use.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Karnataka tightens COTPA rules; penalty for violations, legal age for purchasing tobacco products raised
Tightening tobacco control laws, the Karnataka government has notified major amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day observed on May 31. The amendments —through which the maximum fine for violations under tobacco control laws has been increased from ₹200 to ₹1,000 and the legal age for purchasing tobacco products has been raised from 18 to 20 years— were approved by President Droupadi Murmu on May 23. The amended Act — the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024 — was published in the Karnataka Gazette on May 30. In addition to the existing ban on tobacco consumption in public places, chewing and spitting tobacco has also been prohibited. The other key amendments include a ban on the sale of loose cigarettes or single sticks and strict prohibition on the sale of tobacco products within 100 metres of any educational institution. This was earlier within 100 yards. Hookah bars The State has also imposed a blanket ban on hookah bars, regardless of whether they are located in restaurants, pubs, or cafes. As per the newly added Section 4A, operating a hookah bar will now invite imprisonment of one to three years and fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh under Section 21A of the Act. Despite an earlier ban, hookah bars were still found operating illegally in parts of Bengaluru. While designated smoking areas (DSAs) will still be allowed in hotels with over 30 rooms, restaurants with seating for more than 30 and airports, penalties for violations have increased from ₹ 200 to ₹ 1,000 under sections 21, 24, and 28. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said these amendments are part of the State government's larger strategy to safeguard public health, particularly in the younger generation in sensitive areas like schools and colleges. Stringent enforcement Surgical oncologist U.S. Vishal Rao, who is a member of the State government's High-Powered Committee on Tobacco Control, said the amendments are a significant step in the effort towards achieving tobacco control in Karnataka. 'We have known that as per data from the latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) for India, there has been a reduction in the number of tobacco users by about 81 lakh. Specifically, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults aged 15 and above has reduced by 7%. The amended Act makes enforcement more stringent, reducing the accessibility of these products to youth who are the main targets of the tobacco companies for initiating addiction,' Dr Rao told The Hindu. Following the amendments, the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda has appealed to all proprietors of hotels, bars, restaurants, clubs and pubs to remove illegal designated smoking areas (DSAs) or rooms which are not compliant with COTPA rules. 'DSAs must be distinctly marked and adequately ventilated as per the COTPA guidelines to ensure non-smokers are not exposed to second-hand smoke. It is imperative to note that providing of food, water, beverages, or any tobacco products within DSAs is strictly prohibited,' stated the appeal dated May 31. EOM/
Mint
3 days ago
- Mint
Karnataka raises legal age for tobacco consumption to 21, prohibits hookah bars
Karnataka government has notified a legislation which now prohibits hookah bars, and has raised the legal age for buying tobacco products to 21 years. It has also increased the fines for the violation of these laws. Earlier, the legal age to buy tobacco products in the state was 18 years. The new law prohibits the sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products to a person below the age of twenty one years, and has also increased the fines for smoking in a public place and for sale of tobacco to people aged 21 and below, from ₹ 200 to ₹ 1,000. The notification was issued on May 30, following the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024, receiving the assent of the President on May 23. The Act that prohibits the use of tobacco products in public places says, no person shall use tobacco products in any public place. As per the Act, the 'use' of tobacco means smoking and spitting of tobacco. However, in a hotel having thirty rooms or a restaurant having seating capacity of thirty persons or more and in airports, a separate provision for smoking area or space may be made, it added. The section 4A of the Act, prohibits opening or running of hookah bars. "No person shall either on his own or on behalf of any other person shall open or run any hookah bar, in any place including the eating house or pub or bar or restaurant by whatever name it is called," it said. According to the Act, "hookah" bar means an establishment or place where people gather to smoke tobacco or other similar products from a communal hookah or narghile, which is provided individually. Regarding punishment for running hookah bar, the Act says, whoever contravenes the provisions of section 4A, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but may extend to three years and with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but may extend up to one lakh rupees. 'No person shall sell, offer for sale or permit the sale of cigarettes or any other tobacco products to any person who is under the age of twenty one years. It cannot be sold in an area within a radius of one hundred meters of any educational institution; and it cannot be sold in loose or in single sticks,' the Act added.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka bans Hookah bars, raises age for tobacco consumption to 21
The Karnataka government has notified a legislation that prohibits hookah bars, raises the legal age for buying tobacco products from 18 to 21 years, and increases the fine for violations. The notification was issued on May 30, following the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024, receiving the assent of the President on May 23. The Act that prohibits the use of tobacco products in public places says, No person shall use tobacco products in any public place. It says, "use" means smoking and spitting of tobacco. Also Read | For first time in 125 years, Karnataka records highest rainfall in May: Siddaramaiah However, in a hotel having thirty rooms or a restaurant having a seating capacity of thirty persons or more, and in airports, a separate provision for a smoking area or space may be made, it added. Section 4A of the Act prohibits the opening or running of hookah bars. "No person shall either on his own or behalf of any other person shall open or run any hookah bar, in any place including the eating house or pub or bar or restaurant by whatever name it is called," it said. Also Read | Karnataka issues fresh Covid-19 guidelines for schools ahead of reopening. Check details here According to the Act, "hookah" bar means an establishment or place where people gather to smoke tobacco or other similar products from a communal hookah or narghile, which is provided individually. Regarding punishment for running hookah bar, the Act says, whoever contravenes the provisions of section 4A, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but may extend to three years and with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but may extend up to one lakh rupees. The act prohibits the sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products to a person below the age of twenty-one years in a particular area. Also Read | 'All Kamal Haasan films to be banned in Karnataka', says minister after actor refuses to apologise on Kannada remark row "No person shall sell, offer for sale or permit the sale of cigarettes or any other tobacco products to any person who is under the age of twenty-one years. It cannot be sold in an area within a radius of one hundred meters of any educational institution; and it cannot be sold in loose or in single sticks," it said. Under Sections 21, 24 and 28 of the Act, the fine for smoking in a public place and for the sale of tobacco to people aged 21 and below has been increased from ₹200 to ₹1,000.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
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 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, 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 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 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, 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 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 Karnataka government's move aligns with growing calls from health experts and activists nationwide for tougher tobacco regulations, especially to deter youth consumption.
