Smoker.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
The Chinese government has announced the latest draft of a ban on smoking in public and certin advertisements depicting tobacco brands and smoking, according to the Global Times.
The draft, prepared by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, states that smoking will be prohibited in all public indoor spaces and certain outdoor areas, which include places in close proximity to maternal and child care centers.
Violators of the regulations will be asked to stop smoking by assigned supervisors at non-smoking areas who will report them to the police if they refuse to take heed.
Offenders will be fined between 50 and 500 yuan.
Under the regulation, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Televsion is tasked to monitor their jurisdiction for the appearance of tobacco trademarks as well as any subtle promotion of cigarette brands and depiction of smoking in non-smoking areas, including the portrayal of underaged actors smoking cigarette.
Networks and media companies found to be violating the regulations will be fined between 5,000 and 30,000 yuan.
The draft also recommends determining areas in tourist spots, parks, amusement parks and protected cultural relic sites where people may smoke.
The State Council's legistlative affairs office will receive the draft from the health commission for its perusal, after which it will be deliberated with the participation of the public.
About 300 million of China's population are smokers, and 740 million suffer from second-hand smoke.
More than 1 million Chinese die every year from cigarette-smoking related diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the country was expected to ban smoking in indoor public spaces entirely in 2011 following China's signing of the framework convention in 2003.
