Patna: Stop smoking publicly or pay a fine of Rs 200.

Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has formed a task force to enforce the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA), which prohibits lighting up at public places.

PMC commissioner Abhishek Singh said on Tuesday that the task force will start patrolling public places after a fortnight and will slap penalties on offenders as per the law.

"A few years ago, it was decided that Patna would be made smoke-free. A task force had also been formed to achieve this but it was later dissolved," Singh said. "The new task force under the PMC will try to achieve smoke-free status."

The task force will also check whether shops selling tobacco products have valid licences to do so.

"Shops selling tobacco products within the 100-metre radius of a school or a college will also face a crackdown," an PMC official said under cover of anonymity. "Shops also need to clearly display boards saying sale of tobacco to minors is prohibited."

The law bans smoking in public places, which include amusement centres, restaurants and public offices that don't have open space but are accessed by the general public. Besides, smoking areas in places such as restaurants and hotels are to be physically segregated in such a manner that the air from these areas does not circulate to non-smoking areas. Also, display of non-smoking signs is mandatory at all public places.

These are seldom followed.

"Earlier it was decided that schools would be declared tobacco-free zones," said a source in the civic body. "Schools have submitted compliance regarding tobacco-free status, but shops selling tobacco products can be found near schools. According to COTPA, not a single shop should sell tobacco products within 100 metres of any school. Walls of the school buildings should also have description about COTPA rules but this norm is also being violated."

PMC is the first municipal corporation in the country that has decided to enforce licences for tobacco shops. The licensed tobacco shops can't sell non-tobacco products such as candies, biscuits, chips or cold drinks.