The Assam Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers' Health Protection Act, 1951

ASSAM ACT IX  OF 1951
‘ TH E ASSAM PROH IBI TIO N OF SMOK ING IN SHOW HOUSES ACT, 
1951
[Published in the “Assam Gazette”, dated the 18th April 1951]
An Act to prohibit smoking in cinema halls and other show houses in Assam
Whereas it is exped ient to prohibi t smoking in show houses in Assam :
It is hereby enacted as follows :—
1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the 
Assam Prohibition  of Smoking in Show Houses Act, 1951.
(2) It extends to the whole of Assam.
*For Statement of Objects and Reaso ns see “Assam Gazette”, 1951, Pa rt V, 
page 43.
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(3) It shall come into force on such date and at such places as the State 
Governme nt may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint.
2. Definition.— In this Act,—
“show house” means any building, tent, or any roofe d and enclosed 
structure, used ordinarily or occasionally for the demonstration or exhib ition to 
the public, whether on payment or otherwise, of cinematographic films, dra ma ­
tical or musical perform ances, dances, physical feats of human beings or animals 
conjuring tricks or sleights of hand , or any other indoor amusement whatsoever, 
but does not include such building or tent o r roofe d or enclosed structure in which 
meals are served along with the demo nstration or exhibition.
3. Penalty for smoking in show  houses.— Whoev er smokes, durin g a de­
monstration, or exhibition, in any par t of a show house reserved for the audience 
or the spectators shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred  
rupees.
Explanation.— Fo r the purpose of this section “demonstration or exhibitio n” 
shall be deemed to commence when the audience or the specta tors or any par t 
of them have entered the show house to witness a show therein and to continue 
until they have left the house after the close of the show.
4. Power to arrest without warrant.— Any police officer not below the rank 
of Sub-Inspector may arrest without war rant any person  committing an offence 
und er section 3 in his presence.
5. Management to post notices or exhibit slides.— (1) Every person  res­
ponsible for the mana gement of a demo nstration or exhibition in a show house 
shall bring  to the notice of the audience or the spectators, by posting notices 
prominently or by exhibiting slides, tha t any person smoking during a demons­
tration or exhibition, in any pa rt of such house reserved for the audience or 
spectators shall be liable to arrest witho ut war rant and to fine.
(2) Whoev er contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be punish­
able with fine which may extend to two hun dred rupees.
6. Power to exclude from the operation of the Act.— The  State Govern­
ment or any officer of the State Governme nt authorised in this behalf may, by 
general or special order in writing, direct that the  provisions of this Act shall 
not apply in respect of any show house or any demo nstration or exhibition 
therein.

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