China ban on smoking in public places comes into force

A ban on smoking in public places has come into force in China - home to a
third of the world's smokers.

The move is aimed at curbing the number of deaths from smoking-related
diseases, running at a million a year.

But the new rules have been criticised because they do not include
punishments for those who chose to ignore them.

Business owners often resent efforts to force them to ban smoking on their
premises, because many customers do not like the rules and complain.

The new rules prohibit smoking in places like restaurants, hotels, railway
stations or theatres, but not at the office.

Employers will be obliged to warn staff of the dangers of smoking but not to
forbid them from lighting up at their desks.

Resistance

Shanghai imposed similar rules a year ago, but people do not seem to take
much notice of them.

Often you find people smoking at the next table while you are eating your
meal or having a drink in a bar.

The problem is the regulations do not specify punishments for businesses or
individuals who flout them.

It appears that many Chinese people are unaware of the dangers of smoking.
Research suggests only one in four knows the harm cigarettes or second-hand
smoke can cause.

Officials say they have to try to persuade people not to smoke to try to
reduce the numbers dying from smoking related diseases.

At the same time though the government makes a lot of money from the sales
of cigarettes by the state-owned firm that makes and sells all tobacco
products throughout the country.