CRI听力:Beijing Rolls out New Ban on Public Smoking

1128smoke.mp3

Beijing has adopted new anti-smoking legislation to ban smoking in all indoor public places, workplaces and on public transport vehicles.

Those who breach the rule will face a fine of up to 200 yuan.

Xiong Jinghua is the head of Legislative Affairs Office with the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress.

"For non-public workplaces, such as individual office rooms, there were suggestions that smoking should be allowed. But after discussion, we concluded that as it is a office room in the workplace, it should be considered as part of the space which is open for other co-workers. After circulating opinions, we conclude that the ban should be imposed on all indoor public places and workplaces."

Owners of business such as restaurants and shops are required to put up no-smoking signs and stop the customers from smoking, otherwise they would face a fine ranging from 2,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan.

The regulation is scheduled to take effect on June 1 next year.

The law comes after China rolled out its first national regulation to ban smoking in public places earlier this month.