5.7 lakh people fined Rs 5.1 cr for public smoking in India in 2025-26

More than 570,000 people across India were penalised for smoking in public places during 2025-26, with total fines surpassing Rs 51 million under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). Karnataka emerged as the top enforcer, recording the highest number of fines in the country. However, several states reported zero violations or penalties during the same period, pointing to uneven implementation. Since enforcement responsibility rests with state governments, compliance levels vary significantly across the country. The data underscores the inconsistent application of India's public smoking ban nationwide.