Maharashtra govt: Smoking, spitting tobacco products in public places to be fined Rs 1000

Maharashtra State Health Minister Rajesh Tope today said that the state government has decided to ban consumption, spitting and smoking of tobacco and other tobacco products in public places in the state.

Violators will have to pay a fine of Rs 1,000 for the first offence, Rs 3000 for the second offence, and Rs 5,000 for subsequent offences, he said.

Maharashtra is the worst affected state in the country with close to 60,000 people having tested positive for COVID-19, so far.

Among cities, Mumbai tops the list across the country, with over 37,000 cased of COVID-19.