The law against indoor smoking comes into force from tomorrow, but the state government isn't doing a thing to implement it.

MID DAY found that most Bangalorean smokers were not worried about the implications of the ban on smoking in private offices and restaurants.

"All I am told is that if I smoke I will be fined between Rs 200 and Rs 500. But who will monitor us?" wondered R Sundar, a software engineer. 

Karnataka health minister Sriramulu said, "The matter is still in court. But we are prepared to enforce the law."

The extensive law leaves no indoor place free for smoking. Smokers will have to step out if they want a smoke, but a ban already exists on smoking in public places.

Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss wants the ban to coincide with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It was rumoured that Karnataka would hire a special monitoring force to check smokers.

Shankar Bidri, commissioner of police, said, "I haven't received any guidelines from the state government."

He was not sure whether the state government was hiring a private agency or giving him the power to monitor violators.

Software companies are waiting for a notification from the state government to enforce the ban on their campuses.

Azim Premji, chirman of Wipro Technologies, said "We haven't received any revised notice from the state government.  We have finished all preparations for setting up hoardings and smoking zones if we receive an emergency notice from the state government."

The health and family welfare department has just issued a notice through the media saying the ban will be implemented.

Who's doing what about the ban

Dr Ravi Kiran, senior regional director, health and department (central government)
The matter is still in court. Going by a notice received from the central government, we have already issued notices to state governments. Now the ball is in their court.

Ranganath, cigarette vendor
More than 10,000 are working in various cigarette companies in various positions. Bangalore has 10 dealers. If this comes into effect then we would all be on the streets. But our company will survive because they have alternative products.

Harish, senior software engineer
I have been smoking for five years.  It doesn't make sense to ban smoking indoors. The hype is about the penalty. I think the health department is trying to scare people.

Sunil, labourer
I don't think it will come into effect in Bangalore. Banning smoking will lead to more corruption.

Raghavendra, bar owner
We really can't stop people from smoking in bars. The bar owners' association hasn't taken any decision on the ban. We get good profits from selling cigarettes. More than 90 per cent of our customers ask for cigarettes first and then for booze.

Nandan Nilekani, Infosys
As far as our office premises are concerned, it wouldn't take much time to give space for smokers and set up placards about the smoking ban.

Where else?

Smoking is banned in 61 countries including China, Italy, UK, USA, Canada and Germany.