The Ministry of Health, under the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008, has banned tobacco consumption in all government or private buildings as of 2 October, including hotels, cafes, restaurants, schools, parks, pubs or discos, stadiums, airports, hospitals and bus stands.
Restaurants with more than 30 seats are allowed to set up a zone exclusively for smokers, where no food can be served. The law does not allow for a smoker's zone in private and public offices. Violators of the law will be fined INR 200 (EUR 3.03).
Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said that the ban would be enforced throughout the country and sought the cooperation of all 28 states in this regard.
Laws already exist to prevent smoking in public places and ban mass media advertising of tobacco products, except at sales points. However, the government has struggled to enforce them and fines for offenders are small. (pi)