Over 5.7 lakh fined, Rs 5.1 crore collected for public smoking in 2025-26: Govt data

NEW DELHI: More than 5.7 lakh people were penalised for smoking in public places across India during 2025-26, with authorities collecting over Rs 5.1 crore in fines, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha. The figures, however, reveal stark disparities in enforcement, as several states reported no violations or penalties at all during the period.

The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) prohibits smoking in public places under Section 4, and violators can be fined up to Rs 200 under Section 21. The Union health ministry told Parliament that enforcing the ban is primarily the responsibility of state governments. The Centre, it said, has issued advisories and implementation guidelines, including a dedicated handbook for law enforcement officers released in 2024.

Karnataka recorded the highest number of challans at 1,59,041, followed by Rajasthan (99,789), Andhra Pradesh (55,850), Tamil Nadu (47,941) and Uttarakhand (40,545). Karnataka also topped the list of fines collected, with penalties exceeding Rs 1.4 crore.

In sharp contrast, Assam, Chandigarh, Manipur, Puducherry and Telangana reported zero challans and no fines, indicating wide differences in how states are implementing the law. Delhi reported just 574 challans and fines of Rs 2.5 lakh.

Public health experts said the uneven data points to a need for stronger and more uniform enforcement across states. Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable deaths in India, and smoking in public not only harms the smoker but also exposes others to second-hand smoke, they noted.

The health ministry's response in Parliament emphasised the role of state authorities in carrying out inspections and issuing penalties. It also mentioned that the Centre has provided guidance to states through a dedicated handbook and advisories. However, the wide variation in reported figures raises questions about how effectively the law is being implemented on the ground.

For instance, while some states have dedicated squads and regular drives, others appear to have paid little attention to enforcing the ban. The absence of any reported challans in five states/Union territories for an entire year suggests either extremely low compliance or a lack of enforcement machinery, experts said.

A 2018 World Health Organization report estimated that tobacco use kills nearly 1.35 million people in India every year. The national tobacco control programme, run by the health ministry, supports states in implementing COTPA and other tobacco control measures. Yet, the enforcement data for 2025-26 shows that much more needs to be done to ensure that public spaces are free from tobacco smoke.

The government has also been pushing for stronger tobacco control measures, including raising the minimum legal age for buying tobacco products and banning e-cigarettes. However, the immediate challenge remains consistent implementation of existing rules. Citizens, too, have a role in reporting violations, and several states have introduced helplines and mobile apps to facilitate complaints.

The figures presented in Parliament are a reminder that while laws exist, their effectiveness depends on rigorous and uniform enforcement. The gap between states also underscores the need for a more coordinated approach, with clear accountability at both central and state levels. As the health ministry works on revising the tobacco control framework, public health advocates hope that enforcement will become more consistent, protecting millions of non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoke.