With the government enforcing a ban on smoking in public places, Godfrey Phillips India Ltd -- the makers of Four Square band of cigarettes -- has come up with an innovative way to 'promote the spirit of responsible smoking.'

The cigarette major recently launched the first 'Mobile Smoking Lounge' in Mumbai where smokers can enjoy a smoke and thereby beat the ban too.

The Mobile Smoking Lounge is an air-conditioned van, which will be parked at the Crossroads mall at Haji Ali in Mumbai for four days before moving on to the Gateway of India for another few days.

Other than Mumbai, these mobile smoking hangouts have also been opened in Ahmedabad, Delhi and Baroda. The company then plans to go to southern Indian cities with its vans.

The van, littered with statutory warnings about the ill-effects of smoking, allows a smoker to use it for 15-20 minutes. Smokers are allowed to smoke their own cigarettes or they can buy cigarettes which are sold inside the van. Soft drinks too are available inside the van. Entry to the van is for free.

Godfrey Phillips at the moment has one Mobile Smoking Lounge in Mumbai and, depending upon the response to this initiative, might soon press some more into service.

This initiative is a part of Godfrey Phillips's plan for increased co-existence between smokers and non-smokers in public places, according to the company.

India's first mobile smoking lounge. Photo: Deepak Salvi