Karnataka’s Cigarette and Tobacco Sales Restriction Act aims to curb rising cancer cases, but single-cigarette sales persist across shops, bars and restaurants
Bengaluru: Despite stringent provisions under the amended Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and the state’s Cigarette and Tobacco Sales Restriction and Hookah Bars Complete Ban Act, 2024, the sale of single cigarettes continues unabated across Karnataka, raising serious concerns over enforcement and public health.
The legislation, enacted to curb tobacco consumption and prevent cancer-related deaths, clearly prohibits the sale of individual cigarettes. However, ground reality in Bengaluru and other parts of the state reveals that loose cigarettes remain easily accessible in petty shops, grocery stores, bars, and restaurants.
Law Aimed at Reducing Cancer Burden
According to official health data, nearly 10 lakh people die every year in India due to tobacco-related illnesses, including cancer and respiratory diseases. To address the growing health crisis and protect non-smokers from passive smoking, the Union government initially introduced the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003.
Subsequently, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement, Trade, Manufacture, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Act – COTPA 2024 was notified in Karnataka and implemented from May 23, 2025. The amended law mandates that cigarettes must be sold only in sealed packs and strictly prohibits the sale of single sticks.
The state government also enacted the Cigarette and Tobacco Sales Restriction and Hookah Bars Complete Ban Act, 2024, aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and eliminating hookah bars. The committee formed under the Act had further recommended the removal of designated smoking zones in hotels and restaurants.
Single Cigarette Sale a Punishable Offence
Under the provisions of COTPA, selling cigarettes individually or to minors is a punishable offence. Violators can face a fine of up to Rs. 1,000, and failure to pay may lead to arrest. Authorities can also initiate proceedings under relevant criminal laws.
However, despite these provisions, enforcement appears weak. Vendors continue to sell loose cigarettes openly, often without fear of penalties.
Why Loose Cigarettes Remain Popular
Market observations suggest that affordability plays a major role in the continued demand for single cigarettes. A pack of cigarettes costs between Rs. 220 and Rs. 800, depending on the brand. In contrast, individual cigarettes are sold for Rs. 20 to Rs. 80 per stick, making them more accessible, especially to youth and daily wage earners.
The recent 40 percent increase in cigarette prices due to higher GST on tobacco products has further widened the price gap between packs and single sticks. Public health activists argue that as long as single cigarettes remain available, the intent of the law will remain confined to paper.
Implementation Gaps Raise Questions
While the Health Department maintains that enforcement drives are being conducted periodically, critics point out that the absence of consistent inspections and penalties has diluted the impact of the legislation.
Public health experts emphasise that strict enforcement, combined with awareness campaigns and vendor accountability, is essential to reduce tobacco consumption and prevent avoidable deaths.
As Karnataka pushes for stronger anti-tobacco measures, the continued open sale of single cigarettes underscores the urgent need for coordinated action between enforcement agencies and health authorities.
