Beijing will ban smoking in restaurants, offices and on public transport from Monday.
This tough new law has been celebrated by anti-tobacco advocates however many say its a challenge on how the law will be enforced.
Health activists have pushed for years for stronger restrictions on smoking in China, the world’s largest tobacco consumer, which is considering further anti-smoking curbs nationwide.
Under the rules, anyone in China’s capital who violates the bans, which include smoking near schools and hospitals, must pay 200 yuan ($32.25). The current fine, seldom enforced, is just 10 yuan ($1.60).
A branch was found to have failed to publicise the hotline to report offenders and cigarette butts were found in the restaurant’s toilet, the report said.
Lighting up in open areas near schools and hospitals is also banned.
Anyone breaking the regulations three times will be named and shamed on city government websites.
Restaurants could be fined up to 10,000 yuan for failing to stop people smoking indoors.
The moves have been welcomed by anti-tobacco advocates, but some members of the public doubt whether the new rules will be enforced effectively.
Users of social media websites said they saw people smoking in office buildings and in railway stations without being stopped on Monday morning.
China has over 300 million smokers and over a million Chinese people die from smoking-related illnesses every year.
Smoking bans already existed in China, but have largely failed to crack down on the habit.
