President Droupadi Murmu has given her consent to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Bill 2021, which was passed by the Jharkhand Assembly. The implication of this is that smoking in public areas in Jharkhand will now attract a fine of ₹1,000. This marks a significant increase from the previous fine of ₹200, a five-fold rise. The state government had been keen on the bill’s passage, and its implementation across Jharkhand is imminent.
The Raj Bhavan Secretariat announced the President’s approval through a press release, detailing the increased fines. The release also stated that selling tobacco to those under 21 is now a punishable crime. The amendment bill was passed by the Hemant Soren government in March 2021.
Before this amendment, the fine for public smoking was ₹200. The new law also explicitly forbids the use of tobacco products in public places. In addition, the selling of tobacco products to those below 21 years of age is now a punishable offense. The Jharkhand Cabinet had previously approved a proposal to ban hookah bars in the state, with violators facing imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.