Beijing
released a draft regulation on Friday that would ban public funds in the
purchase of tobacco in the latest move to control smoking, according to the
municipal legal affairs office.
The draft
regulation on smoking control also prohibits providing or presenting tobacco
products as gifts in any official or public activities.
It also
bans vending machines from selling tobacco. Smoking promotions or advertising
are also prohibited, according to the draft regulation, which is soliciting
public opinion.
It is not
yet known when the regulation will be put into effect.
Smoking is
also banned in indoor public places, schools, universities and cultural relic
protection sites, according to the draft.
Those who
violate the regulation face between 50-200 yuan (US$8-32) in fines.
China is
home to over 300 million smokers, accounting for nearly 30% of the world's
smoking population. At least 740 million non-smokers in the country are subject
to second-hand smoke, according to official statistics.
Although a
government regulation issued in 2011 bans smoking in enclosed public spaces,
enforcement of the regulation has been considered very poor.
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