Health officials will police Beijing’s streets today to curb its residents’ notorious habit of lighting up everywhere from restaurants and bars to schools and hospitals, as a ban on smoking in public places takes effect.
With at least four million smokers in their sights, however, it hardly appears a fair fight for the 1,000 municipal inspectors.
Smoking on public transport and in all Beijing’s indoor public places and workplaces is now forbidden. All 14 of the crowded smoking rooms at Beijing airport will be replaced with outdoor areas. Lighting up near schools, youth clubs and children’s hospitals is also outlawed.
While previous bans have proved toothless, with the £1 fine rarely imposed, anyone caught will now face a £21 penalty and the threat of being