China: 1 in 3 public venues in Beijing Break the Smoking Ban during its First Week

Source from:  Shanghaiist 06/08/2015

One in three public venues violated the city's indoor smoking ban since June 1 according to the Beijing Health Inspection Institute.

According to a recent report by the public health authority, out of the 2,406 public places that were inspected, nearly 700 were given warnings and ordered to take prompt corrective action.

Phoenix reports that restaurants were the worst offenders, with 60 percent of those visited found to be in breach of the new rules. Entertainment venues and hotels also top the list of institutions that have problems with curtailing indoor smoking.

Fifteen hospitals in the capital and other major medical institutions also received warnings. An official with the Beijing Health Inspection Institute says those hospitals failed to post standard anti-smoking signs and set up hotlines for the public to report any violations. Cigarette ends were also found in toilets.

According to the public report on smoking control in Beijing and the supervision hotline, more than 100 cases were reported every day during the first week since the new smoking ban kicked in.

China's toughest ban on indoor smoking came into effect in Beijing on June 1. It prohibits smoking in all indoor areas including public places, workplaces and on public transportation facilities. Enditem