Are steeper fines needed for smoking in public places?

Hiking penalties is an excellent move. The ban on smoking in public places is not effective. I have never seen anyone being caught or punished for smoking in public places which is quite rampant. Many would say that people need to realise it themselves rather than increasing the fine, but  a higher penalty will act as a deterrent and we should increase the fine to Rs1000.  
—Ambreen Merchant

We don’t have proper guidelines regarding any ban imposed, hence enforcement of the ban in public places becomes ambiguous. Often hotel owners have no idea and they don’t know what action to take when they spot people smoking in restaurants. We sadly choose to be silent spectators to people smoking in public. I don’t know if the fine will help, but people should speak up.  
—Farhan Shaikh

We don’t realise the ill-effects and impact of passive smoking. Hence many don’t raise their voice, when they watch people smoking in public. We should incorporate the law in all public places including parks, gardens and malls. Many places have specific smoking zones, so apart from that it shouldn’t be allowed. I’m unsure people will stop smoking, if the fine is increased. An agency must maintain a vigil and ensure the ban is being implemented. It’s sad that many have to be told about the restriction than them realising it’s harmful.
 —Jay Chaturvedi

Imposing a steeper fine should work. Even after the implementation of the ban, till date we can spot people smoking in public. More than coercion, it’s every citizen’s responsibility to act wisely. However, the ban enforced in October 2008 has been effective to some extent, especially in public places like trains, bus stops and restaurants though we haven’t seen a cent percent result.
—Kirti Tawde

The penalty amount of Rs100 fine is a joke. This is because it is never taken seriously, on roads or corporate offices, despite the stricture stating that people can smoke only in the special allocated smoking zones. Rs100 is a meagre amount and it won’t necessarily dissuade people from smoking. They need to be meted severe punishment, and habitual smokers must be dealt with sternly.  
—Paras Bora