India | Updated Oct 02, 2008 at 12:20am IST

SC set to ban smoking in public places

New Delhi: The Indian government has decided to stub the butt for you. Its plans got a boost from the Supreme Court refusing to stay the government's notification.

The government is all set to impose a ban on smoking in public places from October 2.

So beware, if you are caught lighting up! You will be asked to cough up an amount of Rupees 200 each time.

Come Thursday and all you can do about cigarettes is buy them. But light them up in public places is a big no, no.

According to SC order, market places are off limits for smokers.

CNN-IBN’s Devika Malik took a look at what are the rules and regulations in the order.

Hotels, Restaurants, pubs, bars and discos too are now strictly no smoking zones.

Smoking at the metro station is a definite way to land at the police station!

Buses and auto rickshaws too fall in the no-smoking zone.

The notification also bans smoking anywhere in office buildings, stadiums, auditoriums etc, forcing smokers to flock to greener pastures, literally.

Neither the Health ministry nor the Supreme Court thinks that an open park is public place where passive smokers are at risk. So the next time you want to light up, you might as well go for a walk in the park.

You can even smoke inside your car provided you're not the one behind the wheel.

So who all can haul you up if you're caught taking a drag? Anyone from traffic cops and beat constables to government officers, teachers, principals to the HR managers in your office!

But again, if you are looking forward to a reason to help you kick the habit, here’s your chance.

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