The Supreme Court rejects a request to raise the smoking age to 21

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 22, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

 Digital Desk: On Friday, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition asking
for an order raising 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 made by two attorneys.

The bench
rejected the plea, saying, "If you want notoriety, argue a strong
case...don't initiate publicity interest litigation."

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.