Nagpur CP bans smoking and drug use in public places till December 6
Commissioner of Police Vishwas Nangare Patil has issued a notification under Section 163 of the BNSS, with duties for hotels, restaurants and cafes.
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Nagpur Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangare Patil has begun a crackdown on smoking cigarettes and beedis, chewing tobacco products and drug-related activity in public places in the city. He has issued a notification for the purpose.
The notification has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and carries directions on banning smoking and the consumption of intoxicants in public places. The order was issued on October 6 and will remain in force until midnight on December 6, 2026.
The order covers hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, school and college canteens and other public places. Operators of these places must put up a board in a prominent spot on their premises stating clearly that smoking is prohibited. This has been made mandatory for them.
Hotels, restaurants, cafes and similar establishments have been told to employ both women and men as security staff, as needed. Action must be taken against those who misbehave with customers. They have also been directed to inform the police immediately of any suspicious or serious incident.
Establishments where the law permits customers to smoke must set up a separate designated smoking area. It must be completely apart from the area where other customers sit or eat.
Putting up no-smoking boards and ensuring that smoking rules are followed will be the responsibility of the establishment owner. The commissioner's order also says that the consumption of intoxicants must not be allowed on the premises of establishments.
Adequate security arrangements have been asked for at customer entry and exit routes, parking areas and other sensitive spots. Installing CCTV cameras for security and keeping their recordings for at least 15 days has been made mandatory.
The notification makes clear that anyone violating the order will face action under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The police order has also increased the accountability of hotel and cafe operators in the city for smoking, hookah and the consumption of intoxicants in public places.
