Indian launches butt-out campaign

Smokers beware! The Indian government is empowering school principals, postmen, railway stationmasters, even your boss to book you if you’re caught smoking in a public place after Oct. 2 – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The health ministry has sent the rule for gazette notification and will make it public in September.
“The government is yet to approve a fine of Rs.2,000 ($48) for those caught smoking in public,” said a senior health ministry official. “So we are implementing the new Smoking in Public Places Rules 2008 with the old fine amount – up to Rs.200 ($5).”
The new rule will also expand the definition of public places from government buildings to include all office buildings, hospitals, schools, colleges, railway stations, airports, bus stands, hotels and restaurants.
“With the public notification, we will empower principals of schools, colleges, station masters, postman, airport authorities to challan (book) those smoking in public places. Once caught, the smoker will have to pay Rs.200 or whatever he has if he is carrying less than that amount,” the official told IANS.
“These people have better access to public places and their involvement will work as community participation to reduce smoking in the country.
“The public notification will empower top officials in private firms to challan their employees,” the official added.
He said in the last week, eight employees of the Nirman Bhawan, the building housing the health ministry, urban development ministry, and some other government offices, were fined.