New anti-smoking laws have come into effect in the Chinese capital. The new regulations ban smoking in indoor public venues and offices, as well as kindergartens and primary schools. Smoking has a strong, popular culture in China, similar to wine culture in France or the U.S. Rather than a gift of expensive wine, friends might give expensive cigarettes instead. According to data from the Chinese government, in 2014 3.3 percent or women and 38 percent of men smoked. So the question may become how to enforce the ban on such a popular activity.

CCTV’s Hou Na filed this report from Beijing.

• The regulation authorizes public building managers, health authorities and police to tell smokers to stop.
• The new regulations put emphasis on the legal responsibilities and obligations of public organizations in tobacco control.
• In a local hospital, assistance is being offered to help smokers quit.
• The move is being welcomed by non-smokers.

Price of most sold brand of pack of 20 cigarettes in 20 countries

In U.S. dollars. Source: The International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, Cross-Country Comparison Report, May 2014

Percent of male quitters who said price “somewhat” or “very much” led to their quit attempt or helped them to stay quit

Source: The International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, Cross-Country Comparison Report, May 2014

Percent of female quitters who said price “somewhat” or “very much” led to their quit attempt or helped them to stay quit

Source: The International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project, Cross-Country Comparison Report, May 2014

Status of smoking bans around the world

The status of the smoking ban by country has been classified under the following categories:

• Complete ban refers to legislation for all types of places and institutions.
• Strong ban covers health-care and educational facilities.
• Moderate ban covers health-care and educational facilities along with additional miscellaneous locations.
• Minimal ban covers health-care and educational facilities as well as limited additional locations.
• Comprehensive local legislation is legislation at a sub national level.
• No ban refers to the absence of legislation.

Source: Chartsbin.com

Angela Pratt of WHO on smoking bans

Let’s dig deeper into Beijing’s smoking ban, and the global campaign to stamp out smoking. Joining CCTV-America from Beijing is Angela Pratt. She works for the World Health Organization.

Web extra by Siqi Lin.

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