Karnataka Enforces Stricter Tobacco Control: Legal Age Raised, Hookah Bars Banned

In a decisive move to safeguard public health, the Karnataka government has amended the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, introducing significant legal reforms. The COTPA (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024—which received Presidential assent on May 23, 2025—raises the legal age for tobacco purchase, bans hookah bars, and increases penalties for smoking in public.

Why in News?

The COTPA (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2024, officially came into force with its publication in the state gazette on May 30, 2025. It introduces sweeping reforms aimed at curbing tobacco consumption among youth, improving public hygiene, and strengthening enforcement against hookah bars and public spitting.

Key Highlights of the Amendment

• Legal Age Raised: Minimum age to purchase tobacco increased from 18 to 21.
• Ban on Loose Cigarettes: Prohibits the sale of single cigarette sticks.
• Buffer Zone Enforcement: Sale of tobacco banned within 100 metres of any educational institution.

Complete Ban on Hookah Bars

• Includes cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
• Violation attracts 1–3 years imprisonment and fine of ₹50,000–₹1 lakh under Section 21A.
• Expanded Definition of Tobacco Use: Now includes spitting in addition to smoking in public places.
• Fine for Public Smoking: Raised from ₹200 to ₹1,000 under Sections 21, 24, and 28.
• Designated Smoking Areas: Still allowed in large hotels, restaurants, and airports.

Enforcement and Legal Backing

• The Karnataka High Court upheld the ban under Article 47 of the Constitution, which directs states to improve public health.
• The ruling clarified that even “herbal” hookahs are banned due to the presence of nicotine and molasses.
• In a recent crackdown, Bengaluru police raided 20 hookah bars, seizing illegal stock worth over ₹12 lakh.

Background on COTPA, 2003

Enacted to discourage tobacco use by regulating,

• Advertising
• Packaging and labelling
• Sale to minors
• Smoking in public places
• Empowered states to further amend or enforce stricter rules.