NEW DELHI, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Smoking in public places or selling tobacco products to minors will become an offence in India, effective May 1, federal health minister Sushma Swaraj said.
The minister said a ban on tobacco products advertising would also take effect.
The government imposed a ban on sponsoring of sports and cultural events by cigarette and other tobacco product companies.
"Several tobacco companies have already booked advertisements for the forthcoming few months. We want to give them time until May 1, to fulfill those obligations," health ministry officials, The Hindu Businessline reported.
Tobacco industry in India spends an estimated $100 million each year on advertising.
Besides curtailing advertising, the new law also prohibits smoking in amusement centers, restaurants, railway waiting rooms, public offices or any place visited by the general public.
However, it does not prohibit smoking in open spaces. Also, it provides for the designation of smoking areas in airports, hotels with 30 rooms and restaurants with 30 seats.
No tobacco product can be sold within 100 meters of an educational institution.
More than half a million people die each year in India from tobacco related diseases.
