The government on Friday announced that all places of work in the country will be declared smoke free and those found flouting the law will be strictly punished.

"All workplaces in India will be tobacco-free and this will come into enforcement in another three to four months time," Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said.

He was speaking to reporters after receiving the World Health Organisation Director-General's Special Award for taking several initiatives for tobacco control in the country.

The minister said the law will be implemented in restaurants, hotels, airports and all those places where people work.

"People can then smoke on roads or homes, provided their wives allow them," he said, adding that even at home they will have to seek the permission of their maids as they are their employee.

"Anyone flouting the law will be strictly punished." He said the law will be strictly applied keeping in mind the smoke-free indoors policy WHO, which was adopted as passive smokers are found to be more at danger as compared to those who actually smoke.

"We need to protect our women and children," he said.

Ramadoss also announced setting up of a Health Minister Cancer Fund, which he said will be run by professionals and reputed individuals.

Inviting corporates and multi-national companies to contribute for the fund, he said the money will be used to treat those youngsters suffering from cancer.

"There are one billion new cancer cases every year. We want to help out the deprived section of the society. Let us fight till India is declared tobacco-free," he said.

Ramadoss said there are existing laws under which punishment can be given to those who smoke at workplace.

"We have existing laws. But they are not followed. But we are going to implement them now. This law will be applicable to all buildings and offices," he said.

On receiving the award, he said, "I dedicate the award for the people of India, especially those who have lost their lives because of smoking and they could have been saved.

"It is just the beginning. We have to get lot many awards. This is the beginning of our war against tobacco. We have a long way to go and we will fight till the end. Indians will come together and say enough is enough. That day is not far when India is tobacco free. We have to collectively fight together with passion."

Citing the example of a village, Varnavasi in Tamil Nadu, Ramadoss said that the village head, who is an illiterate man, has declared the village as tobacco-free.

He also cited the example of Chandigarh which is the first Indian city to be tobacco-free.

The minister said 40 per cent of all diseases are due to tobacco. While the tobacco industry is worth Rs 40,000 crore (Rs 400 billion), the spending on treatment and creation of awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco cost the same, he said.