Jharkhand is set to implement stricter penalties for public smoking after President Droupadi Murmu approved the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Bill 2021. Under the new law, individuals caught smoking in public places will be fined ₹1,000, a substantial increase from the previous ₹200. The bill, which was passed by the Jharkhand Assembly and forwarded to the President for approval via the Governor, received the final nod recently. The state government had been advocating for this legislation, and its enforcement across the state is anticipated shortly.
The Raj Bhavan Secretariat issued a press release confirming the President’s approval and the increased fine. The press release further highlighted that selling tobacco to those under 21 years of age is now considered a punishable offense. The amendment bill was passed by the Hemant Soren-led government in March 2021.
The bill also prohibits the consumption of tobacco products in public spaces and makes the sale of tobacco to minors (under 21) a punishable offense. Earlier, the Jharkhand Cabinet also approved a proposal to ban hookah bars, imposing imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh on violators.