Karnataka recorded highest number of challans followed by Rajasthan, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand NEW DELHI: More than 5.7 lakh people were fined for smoking in public across India in 2025-26, with authorities collecting over Rs 5.1 crore in penalties under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha. The figures, however, revealed wide variations in enforcement, with several states reporting no violations or fines during the year.Health ministry said enforcement of the ban on smoking in public places was primarily the responsibility of state governments, while the Centre issued advisories and implementation guidelines, including a dedicated handbook for law enforcers issued in 2024. Smoking in public places is prohibited under Section 4 of COTPA, and violations attract a fine of up to Rs 200 under Section 21 of the Act.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKarnataka recorded the highest number of challans at 1,59,041, followed by Rajasthan (99,789), Andhra (55,850), Tamil Nadu (47,941) and Uttarakhand (40,545). Karnataka collected the highest amount in fines, at over Rs 1.4 crore.In contrast, Assam, Chandigarh, Manipur, Puducherry and Telangana reported zero challans and no fines, pointing to differences in enforcement across states. Delhi reported 574 challans, with fines amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student ProtestsContent Creator Ayush Rana On Jharkhand Protest Funding, Viral Videos, Dhoni’s Silence & More‘Gen Z Protesters Are Not Anti-National’: RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat Says ‘Protest Is A Way Of Dialogue’Jharkhand’s ‘Sonam Wangchuk 2.0′ Devendra Nath Mahato Enters Day 5 Of Indefinite Hunger Strike Fast’Not Enemies’: Rijiju Meets Rahul Gandhi Over Sansad Logjam, Reacts To Amit Shah Statement DemandAtiq Ahmed’s Youngest Son Abaan Dies In Jhansi Road Accident, Conflicting Accounts Emerge Over Crash‘Youth Wants CJP To Become Political Party’: Dipke, Saurav Das Announce ‘Kya Bolti Public’ CampaignBombay HC Convicts Tehelka Founder Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case; Reverses 2021 AcquittalThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong Conviction123PhotostoriesKahaani Ghar Ghar Kii actress Tina Parekh ditched designer lehenga and lavish venue; opted for a simple wedding surrounded by family in an ashram8 traditional varieties of South Indian idlis that are perfect for breakfastRakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani look straight out of modern-day ‘Ramayan’ in regal Gopi Vaid ensembles10 trendy three-letter baby names with beautiful meaningsYour 50s could decide how many years you live without dementia: Study says controlling 3 midlife health risks may add up to 12.6 healthy brain yearsJacqueline Fernandez proves charcoal is the new black in a show-stopping Manish Malhotra ensembleNo parenting book can prepare you for this: 7 powerful lessons every parent only learns through experienceNot everything you were taught was meant to set you free: 8 beliefs every woman needs to unlearn to finally live life on her own terms5 simple ways to reheat pizza so it tastes fresh again: Which method works best and why5 subtle signs the universe is preparing you for a new beginning123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case

Karnataka recorded highest number of challans followed by Rajasthan, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand NEW DELHI: More than 5.7 lakh people were fined for smoking in public across India in 2025-26, with authorities collecting over Rs 5.1 crore in penalties under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha. The figures, however, revealed wide variations in enforcement, with several states reporting no violations or fines during the year.Health ministry said enforcement of the ban on smoking in public places was primarily the responsibility of state governments, while the Centre issued advisories and implementation guidelines, including a dedicated handbook for law enforcers issued in 2024. Smoking in public places is prohibited under Section 4 of COTPA, and violations attract a fine of up to Rs 200 under Section 21 of the Act.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesKarnataka recorded the highest number of challans at 1,59,041, followed by Rajasthan (99,789), Andhra (55,850), Tamil Nadu (47,941) and Uttarakhand (40,545). Karnataka collected the highest amount in fines, at over Rs 1.4 crore.In contrast, Assam, Chandigarh, Manipur, Puducherry and Telangana reported zero challans and no fines, pointing to differences in enforcement across states. Delhi reported 574 challans, with fines amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Cancel Exams, Take Action’: Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi Slams Soren Govt, Backs Student ProtestsContent Creator Ayush Rana On Jharkhand Protest Funding, Viral Videos, Dhoni’s Silence & More‘Gen Z Protesters Are Not Anti-National’: RSS’ Mohan Bhagwat Says ‘Protest Is A Way Of Dialogue’Jharkhand’s ‘Sonam Wangchuk 2.0′ Devendra Nath Mahato Enters Day 5 Of Indefinite Hunger Strike Fast’Not Enemies’: Rijiju Meets Rahul Gandhi Over Sansad Logjam, Reacts To Amit Shah Statement DemandAtiq Ahmed’s Youngest Son Abaan Dies In Jhansi Road Accident, Conflicting Accounts Emerge Over Crash‘Youth Wants CJP To Become Political Party’: Dipke, Saurav Das Announce ‘Kya Bolti Public’ CampaignBombay HC Convicts Tehelka Founder Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case; Reverses 2021 AcquittalThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong Conviction123PhotostoriesKahaani Ghar Ghar Kii actress Tina Parekh ditched designer lehenga and lavish venue; opted for a simple wedding surrounded by family in an ashram8 traditional varieties of South Indian idlis that are perfect for breakfastRakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani look straight out of modern-day ‘Ramayan’ in regal Gopi Vaid ensembles10 trendy three-letter baby names with beautiful meaningsYour 50s could decide how many years you live without dementia: Study says controlling 3 midlife health risks may add up to 12.6 healthy brain yearsJacqueline Fernandez proves charcoal is the new black in a show-stopping Manish Malhotra ensembleNo parenting book can prepare you for this: 7 powerful lessons every parent only learns through experienceNot everything you were taught was meant to set you free: 8 beliefs every woman needs to unlearn to finally live life on her own terms5 simple ways to reheat pizza so it tastes fresh again: Which method works best and why5 subtle signs the universe is preparing you for a new beginning123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingAkhilesh YadavNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case


5.7 lakh people fined Rs 5.1 cr in 2025-26 for smoking in public
Karnataka recorded highest number of challans followed by Rajasthan, Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand

NEW DELHI: More than 5.7 lakh people were fined for smoking in public across India in 2025-26, with authorities collecting over Rs 5.1 crore in penalties under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha. The figures, however, revealed wide variations in enforcement, with several states reporting no violations or fines during the year.Health ministry said enforcement of the ban on smoking in public places was primarily the responsibility of state governments, while the Centre issued advisories and implementation guidelines, including a dedicated handbook for law enforcers issued in 2024. Smoking in public places is prohibited under Section 4 of COTPA, and violations attract a fine of up to Rs 200 under Section 21 of the Act.

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