Karnataka's New Rules For Tobacco Violations And Hookah Bars | All You Need To Know

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 08:45 IST

Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat governments also have state amendments detailing the same.

A total 300 students between Classes 9 to 12 in Ernapuram block, Namakkal were surveyed by scientists to learn about uses of tobacco among children. (File Photo)

Karnataka has hiked the maximum fine for violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) to Rs 1,000 from Rs 200. A government order in this regard came on Friday.

The President approved the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2024, on May 23.

It was published in the official Karnataka Gazette Extraordinary on May 30, and has since come into force.

In September 2023, the state government decided to tighten regulations by amending the law to completely ban hookah and shisha bars. They also planned to raise the minimum age for buying tobacco products.

The amended act now clarifies that using tobacco products in public places includes both smoking and spitting. A new section, 4A, prohibits the opening and running of a hookah bar, stating, “in any place including the eating house or pub or bar or restaurant by whatever name it is called".

Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat governments also have state amendments detailing the same.

The amendment also inserts a new section 21A, which details the punishment for operating a hookah bar now carries a punishment of 1-3 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

The minimum age to buy tobacco products in Karnataka has been increased from 18 to 21 years. This change aims to curb tobacco use among young people. Section 6 of the Principal Act now prohibits selling tobacco products to anyone under 21.

Prohibition on the sale of cigarettes or other tobacco products to a person below the age of twenty-one years in a particular area. No person shall sell, offer for sale, or permit the sale of cigarettes or any other tobacco products to any person who is under the age of twenty-one years, in an area within a radius of one hundred meters of any educational institution; and loose or in single sticks.

The fines detailed under Sections 21, 24 and 28 of the Act, for smoking in a public place and for the sale of tobacco to people aged 21 and below, have been increased to Rs 1,000.

Location :

Karnataka, India, India

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