The government has proposed to make the current anti tobacco law more stringent. Cigarettes and other tobacco products ( Projobition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) (Amendment) Bill 2015 has been proposed by the health ministry and seeks further suggestions. Some of the changes proposed in the new draft bill are:
Increasing the age of smoking from 18 to 21 years, to be further increased to 23 and finally 25 years in two phases. Further, cigarettes or tobacco is not to be sold to anyone under the age of 21 years even in loose form or as single stick. Further, no person under the age of 18 years can be employed in the cultivation of tobacco or as a worker in tobacco industry in cultivation, processing or sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Increasing the fine for public smoking from Rs 200 to Rs 1000. Also to do away with the designated smoking zones in hotels. The bill also targets the various hukkah bars that have sprung up around the country and have also lead to the production of hukkah tobacco at commercial levels. However, smoking zones are to remain in designated areas at international airports.
Establishing special sessions courts for trial of offences under the Act. It seeks to increase the reporting of offences, filing of complaints, expedite trials and effective implementation of the law.
The draft bill also aims at curbing direct as well as surrogate advertisement of tobacco products. It aims at covering the various media including mobile phones in curbing the advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The draft bill also aims at banning spitting of tobacco in public places citing that it leads to various diseases like TB, pneumonia, swine flu and avian flu.
Increasing the age of smoking from 18 to 21 years, to be further increased to 23 and finally 25 years in two phases. Further, cigarettes or tobacco is not to be sold to anyone under the age of 21 years even in loose form or as single stick. Further, no person under the age of 18 years can be employed in the cultivation of tobacco or as a worker in tobacco industry in cultivation, processing or sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Increasing the fine for public smoking from Rs 200 to Rs 1000. Also to do away with the designated smoking zones in hotels. The bill also targets the various hukkah bars that have sprung up around the country and have also lead to the production of hukkah tobacco at commercial levels. However, smoking zones are to remain in designated areas at international airports.
Establishing special sessions courts for trial of offences under the Act. It seeks to increase the reporting of offences, filing of complaints, expedite trials and effective implementation of the law.
The draft bill also aims at curbing direct as well as surrogate advertisement of tobacco products. It aims at covering the various media including mobile phones in curbing the advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The draft bill also aims at banning spitting of tobacco in public places citing that it leads to various diseases like TB, pneumonia, swine flu and avian flu.
