After the Centre’s announcement of a ban on smoking in all public places from October 2, corporate offices in the Millennium City seem to be taking no chances. Major firms like IBM, Ogilvy and Mather, Ernst and Young, Google and many others have issued advisories to all their employees, asking them to abstain from smoking within office premises.

As per the new order, in case anyone is caught smoking inside one’s office premises, the employer could also be fined.

Incidentally, many real estate firms that have rented out office space to corporate houses have themselves sent out circulars to such companies, requesting them to direct all employees accordingly. Builders like Unitech and Vipul Facility, which maintain Unitech Corporate Park and Global Business Park respectively, have reportedly requested all corporate firms to inform their employees of the same. “We in any case do not allow smoking within office spaces maintained by the DLF. We have, however, once again requested all companies that function from our buildings to abstain from smoking within the premises, including terraces, stairs and passageways of such buildings,” said Sanjay Rai of corporate communications, DLF.

“We have asked our employees to abstain from smoking within office space October 2 onwards; this will include car parking areas, balconies and even outdoor walkways. We have also issued an advisory to the effect,” said an HR executive of IBM Daksh. “Anyone who does not comply with the rules could face a penalty or legal action,” he added.

The Centre had announced earlier this month that smoking would be banned at all public places from October 2. The ban would include hotels, restaurants and offices. A fine of Rs 200 would be imposed on all those caught smoking in such places, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss had said.