In the last two days, since the nation-wide ban on smoking in public places has come into effect, only 141 people have been challaned in Delhi. The bounty collected: a meager Rs 7,080.

Authorities in the Capital have carried out raids in 56 public places and 388 buses, and 55 people were challaned in public places and six in buses, R P Vashishtha, head of the Delhi Tobacco Control department, said. “The Delhi government is conducting raids and has already fined 141 people,” Vashishtha said.

Anirudh Kaushal, a chartered accountant, said: “I work on the eighth floor and find it inconvenient to go down to the road and smoke every half hour. The ban has definitely reduced my smoking breaks.”

The ban covers hotels, restaurants, pubs, offices and even international airports. Pub and restaurant owners in the Capital, however, feel the government did not give them enough time to arrange space for “smoking zones”.