'Burn' Notice: Bengaluru Civic Body Cracks Down On 500 Hotels, Pubs Over Missing Smoking Zones

Last Updated:August 02, 2025, 06:30 IST

This move comes in the wake of a High Court order aimed at protecting the public from the harmful effects of passive smoking

Establishments that wish to offer smoking facilities must obtain a specific licence for these areas. (Representational pic/AP)

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued notices to over 500 establishments, including bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs, and lodges, mandating the creation of designated smoking areas.

This move comes in the wake of a High Court order aimed at protecting the public from the harmful effects of passive smoking.

According to the directive, any establishment with more than 30 seats or 30 rooms is required to set up a separate, enclosed space for smoking. This space must be exclusively used for this purpose, and smoking will be prohibited in all other parts of the premises.

Establishments that wish to offer smoking facilities must obtain a specific licence for these areas.

All businesses that have received the notice are required to comply and create a separate smoking zone within one week. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of their licence. The BBMP’s health department officials have clarified that this action is being taken to ensure public safety and prevent the health risks associated with secondhand smoke.

The BBMP notice explicitly quotes the High Court order, stating, “Petitioner shall earmark exclusively a separate area/place(s) with appropriate enclosure in the hotel premises and necessarily after obtaining license for the purpose of smoking and no other area or portion of premises shall be used by the customer of the petitioner for smoking."

Harish Upadhya

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...Read More

Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi...

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August 02, 2025, 06:30 IST

News india 'Burn' Notice: Bengaluru Civic Body Cracks Down On 500 Hotels, Pubs Over Missing Smoking Zones

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