China ban on smoking in public places comes into force

[Gerald]

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/13251926


Note: 1 May 2011 Last updated at 08:02 GMT

[the_tyrant]

Finally, i'm sure second hand smoke has alrady hugely increased my chances of cancer

[Jimbuna]

No punishment = small deterrance factor.

[STEED]

Caught smoking get run down by a Tank.

[Torplexed]

The ban is kinda pointless. Considering the staggering amount of pollution in the air in the average large Chinese city, you're smoking whether you want to or not.

[antikristuseke]

As a smoker myself, I support the ban on smoking in public areas. Just because I choose to smoke, does not mean everyone else has to.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by antikristuseke

As a smoker myself, I support the ban on smoking in public areas. Just because I choose to smoke, does not mean everyone else has to.

Is it forbidden in restaurants and cafes in the country,

[antikristuseke]

yep, most places have smoking rooms now where you can smoke, or you just pop outside.

[Gerald]

Should they ban it also, I read somewhere that in any country so they had thoughts on it....

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by antikristuseke

yep, most places have smoking rooms now where you can smoke, or you just pop outside.

I'm suprised you've designated smoking areas...these were banned here after a six month period also.

[Ducimus]

Punishment or not, I don't see how they'd enforce it anyway. From what I've seen, in Asia, smoking is a cultural thing. I don't know what it is, but i'd say the majority of Asian males smoke, and most females do too. Smoking is to asia, what apple pie is to America. I just don't see how they'd ban it.

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Punishment or not, I don't see how they'd enforce it anyway. From what I've seen, in Asia, smoking is a cultural thing. I don't know what it is, but i'd say the majority of Asian males smoke, and most females do too. Smoking is to asia, what apple pie is to America. I just don't see how they'd ban it.

I've noticed much the same thing among Asians too. All attempts to admonish fail. All diehard smokers are fatalistic to some extent, but they seem to take a certain pride in it.

[GoldenRivet]

My town has a no smoking law.

You can smoke in your home, you can smoke out on the street or in your car. but you can't smoke inside of a place of business, including a bar or restaurant or within 20 feet of the entrance to any place of business.

so far this has prevented people from smoking inside of such places - but it has not been enforced in regards to the "no smoking within 20 feet" clause because it happens every day.

i used to be a big supporter of such a law until it went into effect.

Now, i don't support it at all.

I think that if a restaurant owner or bar owner wishes to allow smoking within his establishment - he should have the right to allow it without regard to local regulations.

if you dont like smokey bars or restaurants - simply don't go there is my opinion.

when i go to a bar, and have a few rounds with the boys, and play billiards or darts, etc i EXPECT to smell cigar or cigarette smoke.

my take on smoking....

I dont like cigarettes.

I enjoy cigars - but from a taste but dont inhale standpoint.

i think every year these talking heads come out with some new thing that causes cancer and we should all look out for and avoid like the plague.

the way i look at it - we will all die - we dont get to pick when or how - LIVE LIFE A LITTLE. have a glass of whiskey, smoke a cigar, bungee jump, sky dive.

people are so frightened of their own shadows.

[Fish In The Water]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

No punishment = small deterrance factor.

Originally Posted by STEED

Caught smoking get run down by a Tank.

Hopefully something in the middle...

Mind you the Chinese government doesn't exactly have a sterling reputation when it comes to moderation. Sadly, it's usually a case of one extreme or the other.