China's Toughest Anti-Smoking Legislation Comes into Effect in Beijing Monday June 01,2015

 

The toughest anti-smoking legislation in China's history came into effect today Monday June 01,2015  in Beijing, with unprecedented fines and a hotline to report offenders following fears of weak enforcement.

The law makes smoking in offices, restaurants, hotels and hospitals illegal, with venues where the ban is flouted liable to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,600).

Venues which repeatedly ignore the law could have their licenses revoked, while individuals caught smoking in specified areas could be fined as much as 200 yuan.

As well as indoor smoking, the law prohibits lighting up in some open-air spaces close to schools, hospitals, and sports venues.

Despite a government awareness campaign that saw posters detailing the law displayed in restaurants and offices around the city, many say it will be difficult to implement

The government-suggested anti-smoking gestures: Don't (不可以), I do mind (我介意) and Please stop (请停止)

 

Various parties - the police, building managers, tenants and health inspectors - have been called on to implement the ban, but the law "fails to make clear who is ultimately responsible, thus leaving the possibility that they will pass the buck to each other", state-run newspaper Beijing Youth Daily pointed out.

The law - limited to the capital - is not China's first such effort.

A similar nationwide measure was passed in 2011, albeit without financial sanctions, but implementation was lacklustre.