SC dismisses plea to increase smoking age to 21

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition asking for direction to rise the smoking age from 18 to 21 and prohibiting the selling of loose cigarettes.

Justices S. K. Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia’s bench dismissed the appeal filed by two advocates.

“If you want publicity, argue a good case…don’t file publicity interest litigation,” the bench said while dismissing the plea.

Advocates Shubham Awasthi and Sapta Rishi Mishra filed a public interest lawsuit asking the top court to rule on smoking regulations.

In addition to prohibiting the sale of loose cigarettes close to institutes of higher learning, medical facilities, and places of worship, the petition also asked for instructions on how to eliminate smoking zones from public spaces.