Pubs, restaurants must have smoking rooms directs Karnataka Government

Bengaluru: The Karnataka state government has directed bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants to have designated smoking areas. The circular issued by Directorate of Municipal Administration stated that bars, pubs, hotels and restaurants in Karnataka should have smoking areas and it also stated that food, chairs, tables, ashtrays, matchboxes and lighters should not be allowed into this smoking areas. Following this order Minister for Urban Development and Housing, UT Khader said that as per the Karnataka Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Health of Non-Smokers Act 2001 any violations on this rule will result in cancellation of their licences and this rule will be strictly implemented in the state. Smoking at public places, including auditoriums, cinemas, hospitals, public transport -- aircraft, buses, trains, metros, monorails, taxis -- airports, bus stands, railway stations, restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, offices (government and private), libraries, courts, post offices, markets, shopping malls, banquet halls, discotheques, coffee houses was banned by the Supreme Court in 2008. Source: Udayavani