Faced with widespread violation of anti-tobacco rules introduced by the state last year, a high-profile committee constituted to give suggestions to restrict smoking in public places has backed the issuance of a more stringent circular. Last year, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had issued a circular calling on bars, restaurants and hotels to ban smoking in areas where food and beverages are served. Establishments that flouted the rule would lose their licences. However, according to Dr Thriveni B S, the project leader of Smoke-Free Bangalore, not a single bar in the city has applied for a no-objection certificate from the BBMP to ensure that their smoking zones are compliant w... [Read more]