Everyday 22 fined for smoking in public in southeast Bengaluru
In a bid to control smoking at public areas, nearly two dozen individuals in Bengaluru were fined everyday till mid-October for smoking in public. By and large, the people were fined in the IT hub of southeast Bengaluru, which includes Koramangala, Madiwala, Electronic City, HSR Layout, and Bommanahalli. Further, Bengaluru's southeast division fined 8,775 individuals, while 1197 were penalized in Whitefield.
Fine ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 200
Altogether 30,783 individuals were fined for smoking in public places and an estimated fine of Rs. 30,78,300 was collected from them.The fine amount typically ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 200. Last year, the recorded number of offenders in Bengaluru was only 12,185. Police department attributed the rise to better enforcement.
Impact of police drive on smoking in public
According to police, smoking in public is mostly reported from fast-food centres, liquor shops, restaurants, and tea stalls. Notably, due to the better enforcement of police drive, smoking near hospitals and educational institutions has come down to a great extent.
