The Day One of the Union health ministry’s ban on smoking in public places turned out to be an anti-climax. Though Delhiites scrambled to roads and balconies to sneak in a drag, the anti-smoking squads were nowhere to be seen — Thursday being a national holiday.

Dr R P Vashisht, head of the State Tobacco Control Cell, said: “Most public spaces were shut, so we didn’t challan anyone. But people will have to be careful from tomorrow.”

As per the ban, smoking has been prohibited in all places to which the public have access — auditoriums, health institutions, government buildings, restaurants, courts, public transport, stadiums, railway stations, bus stops, workplaces, shopping malls, refreshment rooms, discotheques, pubs and airport lounges.

The ban will not cover open spaces but will be applicable at bus stops and shelters.

While the health department has about eight squads to implement the ban — imposed in the Capital since 1997 — the figure may be doubled.

“Given the huge task at hand, we are planning to constitute eight more squads. These will be visiting all places and people will be challaned if found flouting norms,” Vashisht added.

As per the National Tobacco Control Act, anybody found smoking will be fined Rs 200.

As per the figures provided by the health department, since 1997, the squads have managed to challan 88,456 people and have raided 91,066 public spaces.

While no one was fined in 1997 despite 545 raids, the squads fined about 1,131 defaulters in 2008 after raiding 1,319 places.

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