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The Andhra Pradesh assembly on Wednesday passed the Prohibition of Smoking Bill, imposing a ban on smoking in public places and public service vehicles and prohibiting sale of cigarettes and beedis to minors.
The assembly unanimously passed the bill after the opposition members, barring those of the Bharatiya Janata Party, were suspended from the house for obstructing the proceedings over the power tariff hike issue.
Piloting the bill, Health Minister Dr N Janardhan Reddy said that the Supreme Court, in its order dated November 2, 2001, had directed the Centre/state governments/Union territories to ban smoking in public places.
The bill, he said, also banned the advertising of cigarettes in public places and conveyances.
Those caught smoking in a public place will be punished with a fine up to Rs 100 for the first offence and a minimum fine of Rs 200 and maximum of Rs 500 for the second or subsequent offence.
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