Rs 2 lakh in fines,but ban partial in district

District Collector Chandrakant Dalvi,when contacted,admitted that there was not much headway on the issue and said a meeting will be convened soon to ensure that the ban is effectively implemented by all organisations. The Centre had,from October 2 last year,banned smoking at workplaces,public places,hotels and restaurants,offices,courts,banks,schools,colleges,railways stations,bus stops and others. The fine was also fixed at Rs 200. The government had notified the rules on prohibition of smoking in public places on May 30,2008. While Dalvi said each organisation had to ensure that the ban was implemented by levying fine,most of them are still clueless about it. For instance at the Sassoon General Hospital,medical officers say they have not received any government resolution saying they should levy fines.

“At best,we have displayed posters at the hospital and ensure that no one smokes,” says Dr P S Pawar,medical superintendent,Sassoon General Hospital.

Central Railway official Y K Singh pointed out that despite the revenue loss they have incurred,officials have ensured that cigarettes are not sold at counters in the platform. “We have,however,given topmost priority to the health of the people and created an awareness about the ill-effects of smoking. Fines were levied initially,but not now,” he said.

Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd spokesperson D A Pardeshi also said they do not have the power to levy fines. “It is so difficult to establish that the person was smoking. By the time one approaches him/her,the cigarette might have been thrown out.”

Health officers of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations said they had displayed posters and asked its employees and corporators to refrain from smoking on their premises. “But beyond that,we have not levied fines,” admits Dr D D Chandakkar,deputy health officer,PMC.