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· Smokefree Policies
· Dining/Entertainment
non-USA, by Country
· China
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Smoking in Beijing
Jump to full article: The Economist, 2008-05-08
Intro: AFTER meeting only mixed success in its years of campaigning to improve the quality of its air, Beijing is tackling one noxious source of emissions, in a measure that promises better air in offices, meeting rooms and maybe even restaurants. From May 1st smoking has been banned in a wide range of public buildings. Meanwhile, hotels, bars, restaurants and internet cafés have had to provide non-smoking areas. Individuals caught lighting up in the wrong place may be fined 10 yuan ($1.40). Penalties as high as 5,000 yuan await non-compliant businesses and institutions.
Framed as part of Beijing's commitment to holding a "smoke-free" Olympics this August, the ban will be hard to enforce in a city--and a culture--that loves its smokes. The Ministry of Public Health reports that 350m Chinese, or 26% of the population, smoke, and that 1m die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Among the more worrying trends is an increase over the past decade in the number of women smokers. . . .
The authorities have even encouraged citizens to rat on violators through a new telephone hotline. Resistance from dedicated nicotine fiends, as well as worried restaurants--originally to be covered by an outright ban--has already led to a watering down of the restrictions. But the truly health-conscious may find life tough. The new rules ban smoking in fitness centres.
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