Planning a trip to Beijing, China? Already in the country's capital? Then make sure that you don't light a cigarette in public.
In order to significantly reduce smoking-related illnesses and pollution in China, public smoking is no longer allowed in Beijing. Granted, this isn't the first China attempted to start the end in public smoking.
In 2011, they already banned smoking in public establishments such as restaurants and hotels. However, people were allowed to smoke in their office premises. The rule was also ambiguous since it didn't mention any penalty or punishment for establishments or business owners who allowed the habit.
In turn, many people were still found lighting sticks in several public places all over the city. Further, the law was heavily criticized by owners who didn't want to enforce the regulation in the first place as customers complained.
By 2014, they added more stringent provisions in the regulations, and they are expected to effect on June 1, Monday.
According to the Chinese law, no one is allowed to smoke in any public places including their public transport and offices. The government will be sending out thousands of enforcers and inspectors who will see to it that everyone is following the rules.
They are also imposing fines on violators. While regular citizens may end up coughing at least $32 every time they are caught, the business owners are more in peril as they may be forced to spend at least a thousand dollars for flouting the law.
As if the fines aren't enough, those who are caught violating the law repeatedly will be shamed publicly, their names listed in their government website.
In China, over 250 million of its people are smokers, and the habit itself kills around a million every single year. The country also has one of the worst air pollutions in the world. Thus, the stricter law is highly commended by World Health Organization.
