Bengaluru police crack down on public smoking: 40 cases booked, 295 people fined in special anti-tobacco drive

During a late-night enforcement drive across North Division police limits, Bengaluru police registered dozens of cases and penalised hundreds of individuals for smoking in public places and violating the COTPA Act, 2003.

The North Division Police of Bengaluru conducted a special enforcement drive against public smoking and violations under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, taking action against hundreds of offenders during the operation.

During the drive, 40 cases were registered and fines were imposed on 295 individuals who were found violating anti-tobacco rules in public places.

According to police officials, the enforcement operation was carried out across 13 police station limits in the North Division of Bengaluru.

The drive began on the evening of March 6 and continued late into the night, and the operation extended into the morning hours of March 7 as police teams carried out inspections across multiple locations.

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Police teams visited several public places where smoking is strictly prohibited and checked individuals suspected of violating the law.

People who were found smoking in restricted public areas were booked under relevant provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. Following this, fines were imposed on those who violated the rules.

As part of the enforcement activity, police officers also inspected shops and commercial establishments.

These inspections focused on stores suspected of displaying advertisements for cigarettes and other tobacco products, which are restricted under anti-tobacco regulations.

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Officials examined whether any shops were illegally promoting tobacco products through visible advertisements or promotional displays.

Police authorities stated that such special drives will continue in the future to ensure strict compliance with anti-tobacco laws.