It’s all smoke, no fire on Day One

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.

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.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, meanwhile, had taken the lead by declaring the entire campus a smoke-free zone a day before the ministry deadline.

The guards at the campus have reportedly been given the additional responsibility of ensuring the ban.

The president of DUSU, Nupur Sharma, too welcomed the ministry’s move. “Last year, we put a ban on smoking. So the fresh ban will not make much of a difference. But now, anyone can be fined for smoking in a public place. This will make the ban more effective,” she said.

Manoj Pant, the Campus Development Committee chairman in Jawaharlal Nehru University, said the university has banned smoking in the academic complex, classrooms and libraries. The committee will now put up circulars banning smoking in common rooms and games rooms.

Restaurants yet to feel the heat
While the city was divided over the blanket ban, most pubs and restaurants have switched to the no-smoking mode. “We used to have a smoking section at our cafe earlier. But from today, we have made the entire place a no-smoking zone. Smokers are however allowed to go to the terrace,” said a spokesperson at Market Cafe in Khan Market.
Thursday being a dry day, most restaurants are yet to feel the pinch. “We have made the area a no-smoking zone, but there have been less people walking in. So we haven’t received any complaint or felt a dip in the business yet,” said a spokesperson at QBA in Connaught Place.