From: SMOKEFREE@compuserve.com
Date: Thu, 04/03/08
From May, no lighting up at most public places in capital
By Cui Xiaohuo
China Daily
03/31/2008 (page1)
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2008-03/31/content_6576803.htm
Beijing will ban smoking in most public places starting from May 1 - a big
step toward tobacco control in a nation of 350 million smokers.
The move will also meet China's pledge of a smoke-free Olympics.
More than 150 Chinese cities already have limited restrictions in place,
but the capital will be the first to ban smoking in all restaurants,
offices and schools.
Beijing has had some smoking restrictions since 1996, when the municipal
government prohibited lighting up in large public venues such as schools,
sports arenas and movie theaters.
The new rules, which were announced on Saturday, expand the scope to
include restaurants, bars, Internet cafes, hotels, offices, holiday resorts
and all indoor areas of medical facilities.
Hotels must also have rooms for non-smokers, but the ratio is still being
discussed, said Cui Xiaobo, a renowned tobacco control expert who helped
draft the new rule.
Institutions that fail to comply face immediate fines of up to 5,000 yuan
($713), while it has not yet been decided how to deal with smokers breaking
the new rule.
"There are proposals to fine individuals up to 200 yuan," said Cui. "They
won't be fined for now, because some legislators insist the new rule
contradicts a previous law."
Cui added that more details on how caterers and bar owners should enforce
the ban will be released soon.
Some restaurant owners, however, doubt the rule will be implemented.
For Chinese, smoking is part of a meal, said Zhao Yingqi, manager of
Jingweilou Restaurant in the city's downtown. His restaurant has about 20
non-smoking tables compared to the 400 plus tables with glass or steel
ashtrays on each.
"It's not a bad idea to have non-smoking restaurants," said a 40-year-old
smoker surnamed Xie who was dining at the restaurant. The majority of
diners support the new rule, in line with national surveys last year.
Guo Xiaodong, boss of the first smoke-free restaurant in Beijing, said it
is most important that caterers understand and abide by the rule.
Bars will also be forced to make changes. The rule requires smoking areas
to be strictly segregated with clear signs.
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