A police reply to a Right to Information application, with details of penalties recovered, carried weight with the Kerala High Court as it directed the police to strictly enforce the public smoking ban and ordered awareness programmes on the legal prohibition and the harms of passive smoking. Ernakulam: Disposing of a public interest petition on […]
The Allahabad High Court has held that restaurants in Uttar Pradesh cannot provide hookah service even in Designated Smoking Areas, because the amended Rule 4(3) of the 2008 Smoking Rules prohibits any service in a smoking area, and that a non-smoker’s right to clean air under Article 21 cannot be abridged by commercial interest.
A High Court advocate raised concerns on social media about the illegal sale of cigarettes in Mumbai’s Fort area, which is officially a ‘No Smoking’ zone. The lawyer questioned how tobacco licenses were issued despite the smoking ban in the area. The post sparked public debate, urging authorities to take action against unlawful cigarette sales. In response, the BMC acknowledged the issue and assured necessary steps would be taken.
Today,22nd April, Karnataka High Court upheld hookah ban, dismissing belief in reduced harm compared to cigarettes due to similar health risks. Ruling aligns with Article 47 of Indian Constitution on public health duties. Decision also based on COTPA and Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, regulating hookah as a tobacco product and service violating smoking prohibition laws. Public health concerns remain prominent.