Beware smokers: You may have to shell out Rs 20,000 as fine
Posted on: 11/Sep/2014 11:24:49 AM
Very soon public smoking will become a cognizable offence. An expert panel was appointed by health ministry to review and suggest changes to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA). Some of the recommendations of the panel are a fine of 20,000 for smoking in public, banning the sale of loose cigarettes and increasing age limit for tobacco consumption from 18 to 25. Other suggestions include making public smoking a cognizable offence.
If accepted, these suggestions could soon be a part of amendments the government is planning to introduce in the winter session of parliament to curb tobacco consumption.
Tobacco use accounts of 40% of all cancers in India. It is also associated with higher morbidity and mortality caused due to respiratory problems, heart diseases and Tuberculosis among others.
