In one of Asia's most polluted cities, most people fail to see the point of a ban on smoking - but some are fuming.
"Nobody can stop me from smoking," said computer worker Nevil D'Souza in Bombay, a congested city of 13 million and India's financial hub.
The Indian Tobacco Bill, which took effect on May 1, imposes a nation-wide ban on smoking in public places, advertising of tobacco products in mass media - except at point of sale - and selling to anyone under the age of 18.
Smoking is also prohibited at government offices, where tobacco-stained walls are a common sight, as well as at train stations, bus stops and in some parks. Anyone caught lighting up faces a spot fine of 200 rupees ($4.50), about four days' wages for the average labourer.
Advertising tobacco, or tobacco-related products, such as snuff, chewing tobacco and even tooth powder containing tobacco, can mean two years' jail and, or a 1,000 rupee ($25) fine.
"Smoking is the least of all the problems facing this country," Nisha Zutshi, an advertising professional and a regular smoker, said in Bombay, where smoking is seen as trendy among the young and it is common to see boys and girls blowing smoke rings in coffee shops and pubs. "We have bigger problems. We need to clean the air, clear litter and stop people from spitting and contaminating the air," she said, puffing a cigarette while driving her car to work.
Like Zutshi, many smokers doubt the ban will help them quit.
"I don't oppose the ban. But am I going to give up smoking? No way. It's one of the pleasures of life," said college student Siddharth Shetty. Such views are likely to trouble India's Health Ministry.
"The objective of the ban is to decrease the numbers of smokers in the country," says M.V.V.S. Muthy, director of public relations at the ministry. The ministry says about 2,200 people die every day in India from tobacco-related illnesses such as lung and mouth cancers.
Many Indians, however, are not aware of the ban - a fact noted by Muthy.
"It will be enforced after the elections," he said referring to the country's mammoth five-stage poll that began on April 20 and ends on May 13 when results are announced.
"State governments will launch awareness campaigns targeting the sale of tobacco products to minors and smoking in public places," he said. In Calcutta, smoking at bus stops and in parks is common.
Standing at one bus stop in the heart of Calcutta, Udit Basu smokes a cigarette oblivious to the ban. "Oh really? I heard that smoking in public places like railway stations is banned but a bus stop too?" said Basu, who runs a small publishing business.
Kaushik Dan, a shopkeeper and regular smoker, said he was happy about the ban on smoking in public places.
"It will help me cut down," Dan said. That is the last thing Mohammad Naimudin, who sells cigarettes on a New Delhi street corner, wants to hear.
"This is our livelihood," says the father of six, who has been selling cigarettes and other tobacco products for 20 years.
If the government stops cigarette smoking, we will die," he said.
One in four of India's one billion people are tobacco users. Of these, only about 14 percent smoke Western-style filter-tip cigarettes, according to the World Health Organisation.
About 50 percent smoke bidis, while 36 percent chew tobacco. Bidis, also known as "poor man's cigarettes", are hand-rolled leaves containing low-grade tobacco and tied up with string. They are hugely popular among India's millions of impoverished farmers.
Analysts say the ban would affect the long-term growth prospects of the industry, but it was unlikely to have an immediate impact on tobacco consumption or the fortunes of big companies.
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