Public smoking continues to be a menace

Public smoking continues to be a menace as people continue to violate the rule despite the penalty of Rs 200 introduced over 15 years ago.

At an awareness programme against tobacco, officials of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) announced that Rs 35.23 lakh has been collected as fine from 17,616 passengers who were found violating the rule.

Despite the penalty, many continue to smoke at public places, from bus stations to institutes, by displaying signage boards. The number of violators on KSRTC premises, however, has come down from 23,000 to 17,616. The decline may also be due to reduced enforcement activities.

The state government has recently proposed to the Centre to hike the fine on smoking in public places from Rs 200 to Rs 2,000.

Tobacco kills 2,700 persons every day in India. Karnataka is said to have the highest number of tobacco consumers and reports 1.5 lakh deaths every year due to various diseases caused by tobacco consumption.

Bengaluru Urban District Tuberculosis and Tobacco Control Officer Dr G A Srinivas recently said the increase in fine was an urgent need to combat the health risks posed by tobacco.