The China government has forbidden smoking in all hotels and restaurants, along with most other indoor public spaces, effective May 1. The national ban was announced by the state Health Ministry.
There is some question, however, about exactly how the new rule will be enforced. The ban does not come with any specific penalty guidelines, with the government saying only that violators could be fined up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,581). Past efforts to curb smoking in China—including a three-year-old requirement that restaurants and bars offer nonsmoking areas—have been largely ignored.
China has the world’s largest smoking rates, accounting for about a third of the global population of smokers.
There is some question, however, about exactly how the new rule will be enforced. The ban does not come with any specific penalty guidelines, with the government saying only that violators could be fined up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,581). Past efforts to curb smoking in China—including a three-year-old requirement that restaurants and bars offer nonsmoking areas—have been largely ignored.
China has the world’s largest smoking rates, accounting for about a third of the global population of smokers.