New Delhi, July 14: The Supreme Court today said till the Central government enforced the anti-tobacco legislation, which got presidential assent recently, the court orders banning smoking in public and directing manufacturers to display statutory health hazard warning on cigarette packets would continue to operate. The order was passed by a bench comprising Justice Ruma Pal and Justice P V Reddi while disposing of a public interest litigation filed by Congress MP Murli S Deora. On this petition the Supreme Court had banned smoking in public places and directed manufacturers to boldly display the statutory warnings on cigarette packs.
"In view of the cigarettes and other tobacco products (prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) act, 2003, no further orders are required to be passed on the writ petition," the bench said. However, it added that "till such time the act comes into force, the orders of the court will continue to operate."
The act makes smoking in public places punishable with fine which may extend to Rs 200 while advertisement of tobacco products would attract imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of Rs one lakh in case of first conviction.
It bans advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products, direct or surrogate, besides prohibiting sponsorship of sports and cultural events by tobacco manufacturers.
It also prohibits sale of tobacco products to minors besides proposing to compound minor offences and making punishment for offences by companies more stringent. Bureau Report