The Guangzhou City Smoking Control Ordinance was unveiled at the end of last week, Southern Metropolis Daily reports. Under the new guidelines, the use of public money to buy cigarettes will be banned and inspectors will be sent to enforce no-smoking policies in internet bars, concert halls, games rooms and other public places.
The Guangzhou City Administration Committee is soliciting public opinion until this coming Saturday, May 10.
People who smoke in non-smoking places, which also include kindergartens, schools, cafes and Children’s Palace, are subject to an on-the-spot fine of 50 yuan. If you see someone doing it, you can call the hotline 12319 or have a Chinese-speaking friend do it for you.
China, in theory, banned smoking in indoor places on May 1 2011. At the time, an op-ed in Shenzhen Daily suggested that this ban would be poorly enforced, if enforced at all. Six months later, a follow-up piece was published to say “I told you so.”
But Guangzhou claims to be directing money and resources at the problem.
Do you think this will be enforced? Do you think it should be?