Shanghai's Citywide Smoking Ban is Now in Effect

By Rachel Deason

As of today, March 1st 2017, smoking in public places in Shanghai is officially banned.

The citywide ban carries a fine of RMB50 to 200 for individuals or RMB30,000 for organizations that fail to enforce the ban. Public places are defined as all non-private indoor spaces and work areas, as well as some outdoor places, such as art performance and sporting venues, open areas at maternity and infant hospitals, kindergartens and bus stops.

The city is still looking for effective ways to advertise the ban, hoping to follow Singapore’s lead by adding evocative pictures to the notices.

Officials have said they will crack down the hardest in the first few days of the ban to set an example. So if you’re thinking about cracking open a pack of Zhongnanhais today, you may want to reconsider. 

[Image via CityLab]

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