In Beijing, police officials have started spreading out through the Chinese capital's restaurants, hospitals, schools, and hotels, to fine public smokers, Monday.
A new law, punishing people for smoking in public places through a 200-Yuan fine, has been imposed for strict execution, after health activists rallied for a stronger smoking ban in the city. Considered to be one of the world's most populous city, Beijing is also where the world's most largest tobacco company is based, which earns 7-10 percent of the government revenue, Reuters reports.
Businesses are also fined 10,000 yuan ($1,600), if caught allowing customers to smoke.
In Beijing, a pack of cigarettes costs less than 5 yuan (80 U.S. cents), which is considered far cheaper compared to cigarettes sold in western countries.
Euromonitor International Research Firm's Shane MacGuill, a tobacco analyst, feels that it is going to be a heavy shift. "When you are looking at trying to combat tobacco use in China you are almost talking about trying to slow down and turn around an oil tanker."
In China, more than 300 million smokers have been considered ill due to first-hand and second-hand smoking. The World Health Organization reports tobacco kills up to 50% of cigarette smokers and 10% of those who died from smoking are non-smokers who are frequently exposed to a smoking environment.
Health officials gathered in the event announcing the No Smoking in Beijing policy was held in the 2008 Olympics venue, Bird's nest Stadium, on Sunday.
In some restaurants, people are being asked to smoke outdoors. 25-year-old Xu Jingyuan tells Reuters it has been stricter this time. "It will definitely be very serious. They've already started out quite strictly with the policy this time," she stated.
Though the policy was not strictly imposed previously, Time reports the officials have already started putting large no-smoking signs and threatening people to be put to shame when caught smoking.
