141 fined in Delhi for violating smoking ban

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Government has fined a total of 141 people since the country-wide ban on smoking in public places went into effect on October two.
    
Since early Saturday morning, authorities in the capital have carried out raids in 56 public places and 388 buses.
    
Out of this, 55 people were challaned in public places and six in the buses, R P Vashishtha, who heads the Delhi Tobacco Control department said.
    
The cumulative fines which have been collected is Rs 7080.
    
Vashishtha said since the nationwide ban on October two, the Delhi Government has fined 141 people.
    
A pet project of Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, the ban on smoking would cover hotels, restaurants, pubs, offices and even international airports.
    
While a majority of states are enthusiastic about implementing the ban, few like Maharashtra and Bihar have shown reluctance in doing so.
    
Jharkhand, Delhi and Chandigarh are some states which have already begun implementing the ban.
    
In the capital, where a ban on smoking in public places has already been in force, the administration has fined 1,131 people for smoking till July 31 this year.
    
Pubs and restaurant owners, however, feel the government rushed into such a measure without giving enough time for them to arrange space for "smoking zones".