## Policy Summary: Ban on Smoking in Public Places (India, 2025)
This document summarizes the Indian government's policy regarding the ban on smoking in public places as of July 25, 2025, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 997.
**Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke (SHS):**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's "Report of Tobacco Control in India 2022" identifies significant health risks associated with SHS exposure, particularly for vulnerable groups. In children, SHS increases the risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In pregnant women, it is linked to complications like low birth weight, stillbirths, and developmental issues in infants. Long-term exposure to SHS elevates the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke among non-smokers.
**Policy and Enforcement:**
Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA), 2003, bans smoking in public places. Non-compliance with Section 4 results in a fine of up to ₹200 under Section 21 of the Act. While the Union Government sets the policy, implementation and enforcement primarily rests with State/Union Territory governments. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issues periodic advisories and guidelines ("Guidelines for Law Enforcers") to State/UTs to aid in the strict enforcement of tobacco control laws.
**Impact and Burden:**
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2016-2017 indicates an overall tobacco use rate of 28.6%, reflecting a 17.3% relative reduction from the 34.6% reported in 2009-2010. However, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study estimated over 1.2 million deaths in India in 2019 were attributable to smoking and secondhand smoke.
**Government Plans:**
The government aims to reduce the health burden associated with tobacco use through the continued enforcement of COTPA, 2003, and related initiatives. Details of specific plans were not elaborated upon beyond the existing enforcement mechanisms.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Union Government ministry responsible for health and family welfare in India, overseeing public health initiatives and policies.
secondhand smoke: Refers to the smoke inhaled involuntarily from tobacco products used by others, posing health risks to non-smokers.
Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003: A specific section within the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003 that pertains to the prohibition of smoking in public places in India.
Section 21 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003: A specific section within the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003 that pertains to penalties for non-compliance to Section 4.
Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS): A global survey that monitors adult tobacco use and key tobacco control indicators.
Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study: A comprehensive regional and global research program that assesses mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors.
asthma: A chronic respiratory disease that inflames and narrows the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
lung cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the lungs and can be caused or exacerbated by exposure to tobacco smoke.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 997
TOBE ANSWERED ON25TH JULY2025
BAN ONSMOKING INPUBLIC PLACES
997.SHRIE TUKARAM:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) the immediate and long-term health effects of secondhand smoke on vulnerable groups
such as children, pregnant women, and non-smokers, particularly in respect of respiratory
illnesses, cancers,andotherserious diseases;
(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government to enforce the ban on
smoking at public placesincludingroads, parks, busstops andtrainsetc.;
(c) the penaltiescurrently imposed bythe Government onpeople smoking inpublic places;
(d) whether these have proveneffective incurbingthe practice inthe country;
(e) the numberof deaths/cases reported annuallydue tosecondhand smoke incountry; and
(f) whether the Government hasany plan toreduce the said health burden in the country and
if so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a): According to the Report of Tobacco Control inIndia (2022) issued byMinistry of Healthand
Family Welfare, exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) increases the risk of respiratory illnesses
like asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia in children, while in pregnant women, it is associated
with complications such as low birth weight, stillbirths, and developmental issues in infants.
Long-term exposure to SHS is also linked to an elevated risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and
stroke amongnon-smokers.
(b) & (c): Under Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of
Advertisement, Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act
(COTPA), 2003, the Government of India has imposed ban on smoking in public places. In case
of non-compliance of Section 4, there is a provision of fine up to ₹200 under Section 21 of this
Act.Public Health being a State subject, the primary responsibility for implementation of the
provisions of COTPA, 2003 and the Rules made thereunder lies with the respective States/UT
Governments. However, this Ministry periodically issues advisories to States/UTs for strict
enforcement of this Act. Moreover, a Guidelines for Law Enforcers has been issued for effective
implementation of tobaccocontrol laws.
(d) to (f): As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 2016-2017, overall tobacco use was
28.6% which is a 17.3% relative reduction from 34.6% reported in 2009–2010. Further, the
Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study estimated that there were over 1.2 million (12 lakh)
deathsdue tosmoking andsecond-hand smoke (SHS) inIndia in2019.
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