Tobacco advertisements banned on state transport buses and bus stands

Bengaluru

In a move aimed at safeguarding public health, Karnataka Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy has issued strict directions to ban all forms of tobacco-related advertisements on state-run transport buses and at bus stations across the state.

In an official communication issued from Vidhana Soudha, the minister directed that with immediate effect, no direct or indirect advertisements that promote the consumption of tobacco products should be displayed on buses or within bus stand premises operated by state transport corporations. The order applies in the interest of the general public, particularly commuters who are exposed to such messaging on a daily basis.

The minister has further instructed transport authorities to identify and remove any existing advertisements that encourage tobacco use. A specific time frame must be fixed for the removal process, and officials concerned have been asked to ensure that all such advertisements are taken down within the stipulated period without fail.

The directive has been issued to the Managing Directors of all four state transport corporations, including the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).

Officials have been warned to strictly implement the order and ensure full compliance, signalling the government’s renewed push to curb tobacco promotion in public spaces and reinforce anti-tobacco norms across Karnataka’s transport infrastructure.