Beijing - China's capital seeks to snuff out smoking in indoor public places on Monday with a new ban, unprecedented fines and a hotline to report offenders, but enforcement is doubtful in one of the world's most tobacco-addicted countries.
Seen as the toughest anti-smoking legislation in China's history, the law makes smoking in Beijing locations such as offices, restaurants, hotels and hospitals punishable by fines.
Businesses that fail to rein in smoking on their premises can be fined up to 10,000 yuan ($1,600) and repeat offenders could have their licences revoked.
Individual smokers themselves can be penalised 200 yuan.
As well as indoor smoking, the law prohibits lighting up in some open-air spaces close to schools, hospitals, and sports venues. Tobacco advertisements are not allowed to appear outdoors.
But experts and locals question whether enforcement will be effective.
Health commission inspectors will be in charge, carrying out spot-checks and acting on tip-offs from the public -- posters in the capital advertise a hotline number, and the city government has launched a social media account allowing observers to upload images of smokers caught in the act.
It has also announced a poll for a hand gesture aimed at encouraging people not to smoke, with options of a "time-out" T shape using two fingers to a palm, a forward-facing "stop" palm, and a flat hand pressed up to the nose of the person signalling.
AFP
