Sellers too have to cough up more fines for selling cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors

Those who have been smoking in public places by either hiding or dodging the authorities and those selling tobacco products to minors are likely to face the heat as the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) enforcing authorities are likely to increase the fine, which will be initially done in Bengaluru.

The COTPA enforcing authorities are getting stricter, after realising that the current fine of Rs. 200 was way too less and they are seeking to increase it to Rs. 1,000. The Police Department, which is one of the COTPA enforcing authorities, is likely to send a proposal to the Government in this regard.

At present, if a person is caught smoking in public places such as bus stands, railway stations, cinema halls, hospitals, libraries, Government hospitals and other public places, he/ she is fined Rs. 200 under Section 4 of COTPA, either by Police or by the Corporation health officials. However, smoking in public places continues unabated despite the implementation of COTPA in 2003. The awareness on the ban on smoking in public places is not widespread.

Speaking to SOM, City Police Commissioner Dr. A. Subrahmanyeswara Rao said: “Authorities in Bengaluru would have sent a proposal and may have got a nod from the Government. But for us to increase the fine, we have to send a proposal to the Government first. We have to discuss the fine amount that has to be hiked and then we will send the proposal. It is only after we receive an order from the Government that we can implement it.”

In Bengaluru, a high-level Committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary, took the decision on hiking the fine to Rs. 1,000 and the Committee has sent a proposal to the Government and is awaiting a formal order. If the Government gives its consent and applies it across the State, Karnataka will be the first in the country to resort to such a stringent measure to enforce the ban on smoking.