At Gulabi Bagh dispensary complex, 1st floor: the headquarter of North district anti-smoking cell, which was formed in 1997.

“Fifteen days a month, we visit bus depots, shops, railway stations, malls to educate people on harmful effects of tobacco, and challan violators,” says Dr Vineet, North district Chief Medical Officer.

Today, the team visits Kashmere Gate ISBT, where smoking is banned. “You can buy tobacco here but must go elsewhere to enjoy it,” says Dr Dutta, who manages the anti-smoking team.

While walking to the bus stand, they come across the first lawbreaker of the day. “Beedies are not like cigarettes,” says the bus driver who is caught. But, it costs him Rs 100 for smoking it here.

As the team keeps challaning, people get agitated. Says a 22-year-old economics and geography student, who has been caught: “This is the last time I will smoke here.”

An Army officer, caught at his turn, claims he “would not smoke for a year”, tears his packet of beedies and throws it away.

Some, however, are not “cooperative”. Says a UP government bus ticket checker to Dr Dutta “What do you think you can do to me?”. Agitated, he protests but is eventually forced to pay the fine by the police officer.

Waiting for his bus to UP, Vinoj Chopra (56) is not impressed at all. “Policemen too smoke in this station”. To this, Dr Vineet says he has challaned three traffic policemen so far.

Most times, violators are old men. “They have no money to pay the fines but they always find enough to buy cigarettes,” says Dr Dutta.