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Beijing to enact extended smoking ban in May 

Beijing will enact a new citywide public smoking ban on May 1, in a push for a smoke-free city during the Summer Olympics this August.

The new regulation extends the smoking ban to more public venues and indoor areas in medical facilities, elementary, secondary and primary schools, museums, business halls, public transportation, cultural heritage sites, and sports venues and fitness centers, China News Service reported Thursday.

"Banning public smoking is in line with international conventions, and fulfills our promise of a smoke-free Olympics," Sun Xianli, vice director of the Beijing Committee of Patriotic Public Health Campaign, was quoted as saying. "We have intensified smoking control in public areas as part of pledge to host a Green Olympics, Scientific Olympics and Humanitarian Olympics."

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