“My cigarette consumption has reduced drastically since DUSU anti-tobacco campaign started and I have planned to give up smoking in two days,” said Ramjas College principal Rajendra Prasad. Not only smoking in the campus area has been prohibited but also selling of tobacco products is now not allowed within a 100 meters radius of the varsity.

Out of the five students challaned by the anti-smoking cell, one was fined Rs 200 while the others had to pay Rs 100 each. “We have challaned three students on Friday in the Law Faculty area and two on Monday in Delhi School of Economics,” said Dr Vineet, leader of the north district anti-smoking team.

The anti-smoking cell, which is under Delhi government Health services, was established in 1997, one year after Delhi Anti-smoking Act was passed.

“We educate people on the harmful effects of tobacco. We also visit public places like shopping areas, Blueline buses or educational institutions 15 days per month to fine lawbreakers,” said Vineet.

“The amount of the fine relies on the discretion of the anti-smoking cell. Delhi Police is just giving assistance to DU and Delhi government,” said Devesh Shrivastav, DCP North Delhi.

Till now, only five colleges have been checked: Khalsa College, Miranda College, Law faculty, Delhi School of Economics, Sri Ram College of Commerce and Kirori Mal College. But DUSU president Amrita Bahri expects the whole North Campus to be covered by the end of this week: “There are hardly any vendors selling cigarettes within the campus area and hopefully there will be less smokers in the following days,” she added.

Although open spaces or public places remain out of this law’s purview, DUSU has forwarded a memorandum to the Delhi government authorities to classify the three roads that cross the campus as non-smoking areas. “This is not possible to do so unless everyone (principals, DUSU, houses within the campus) agree,” said Vineet.