Over 31,000 Challans Issued, 35.24 Lakh Fine Collected for Violating the Smoking Ban in Public Places in Gujarat
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
In a comprehensive effort to enforce public health regulations, official data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare revealed that enforcement agencies across Gujarat issued 31,276 challans to individuals violating the smoking ban in public places. The state collected a total of ₹35.24 lakh in fines, highlighting a stringent push toward protecting non-smokers in public venues.
Nationally, 5.76 lakh challans were issued and ₹5.19 crore was collected in fines during FY 2025-26 for violations under Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
Karnataka leads, Gujarat ranks fifth in fine collection
Karnataka recorded the highest enforcement figures in the country with 1,59,041 challans and ₹1.40 crore in fines, followed by Tamil Nadu (47,941 challans; ₹69.57 lakh), Andhra Pradesh (55,850 challans; ₹65.95 lakh), Goa (30,719 challans; ₹46.44 lakh) and Gujarat (31,276 challans; ₹35.24 lakh). Rajasthan, meanwhile, registered the second-highest number of challans at 99,789 but collected ₹32.61 lakh in fines.
States responsible for implementing tobacco control laws
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted that public health is a State subject, making state and Union Territory governments primarily responsible for enforcing tobacco control laws. The Centre supports implementation through advisories and the Guidelines for Law Enforcers for Effective Implementation of Tobacco Control Laws 2024.
Under Section 4 of the COTPA, 2003, smoking is prohibited in public places, while Section 21 provides for a penalty of up to ₹200 for every violation. The enforcement figures have been compiled through the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) MIS Portal.
