Supreme Court junks plea to increase smoking age from 18 to 21

Supreme Court. File Pic

The Supreme Court on Friday junked a plea seeking a direction to increase the smoking age from 18 to 21, and ban the sale of loose cigarettes. A bench comprising Justices S K Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia rejected the plea 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.

The apex court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocates Shubham Awasthi and Sapta Rishi Mishra seeking guidelines to control smoking.

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The plea also sought directions to remove smoking zones from commercial places besides banning sale of loose cigarettes near educational and healthcare institutions and also places of worship.

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