Public smokers fined, shopkeepers selling loose cigarettes warned

BBMP officials and police searched bakeries and shops located within 100 metres of schools and other educational institutions in West Bengaluru

Authorities searched several shops and bakeries located close to educational institutions in West Bengaluru on Wednesday to check whether they were selling loose cigarettes and encouraging the public consumption of tobacco.

Led by area health officer Dr Komala K R, BBMP officials and police searched bakeries and shops located within 100 metres of schools and other educational institutions in Vijayanagar, Mysuru Road, Hosakerehalli and Byatarayanapura. A fine of Rs 6,800 was imposed on citizens found smoking in public.

BBMP officials warned shopkeepers against selling loose cigarettes, as stipulated by the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. Only cigarette packets containing warning messages and pictures can be sold, according to the law.

The BBMP has fined nearly 340 people for the consumption and unauthorised sale of tobacco between September 2020 and March 16, 2021, and collected a fine of Rs 67,600.

With a maximum fine of Rs 200 per violation, the highest violations since September were reported from Mico Layout (Rs 9,200), Ashoknagar (Rs 7,909), Byatarayanapura (Rs 6,800), Indiranagar (Rs 5,750) and Sampangiram Nagar (Rs 4,800).