Beijing prepares for sweeping smoking bans in China’s capital

The city profits greatly from tobacco tax revenues, so the battle to stamp out smoking in Beijing is far from over.

Chinese lawmakers are reviewing tough new rules in a bid to stamp out smoking in Beijing.

The World Health Organization says smoking inside Chinese restaurants, bars, and other facilities are more unhealthy than the capital city’s legendary smog, and 1 million Chinese citizens are killed each year by cigarette smoke, according to USA Today.

As a result, WHO applauded Beijing’s proposed ban on smoking in indoor public places, similar to bans that are growing in popularity around the world, including the United States. The new rules are expected to be passed Friday and take effect next year.

Those caught violating the rules could faces fines of up to $80 per violation.

The news comes in the wake of the publication of draft regulations earlier this week that orders tough bans on indoor smoking as well as limits on outdoor advertising. The regulations also take aim at tobacco advertising.

China has an estimated 300 million smokers, making the nation the largest producer and consumer of tobacco. Its popularity will make enforcing such rules difficult, even though the health effects of tobacco are becoming more widely known.

Chinese officials have attempted indoor smoking bans in 14 cities, but regulations were typically ignored and enforcement was almost non-existent. The new rules would be tougher than 2008 regulations, banning smoking in all public places including individual offices and other establishments — even smoking lounges in airports.

The new regulations would also go the additional step of prohibiting tobacco advertising and sponsorships and curtailing the depiction of smoking in movies and TV shows. It would also introduce graphic warnings on cigarette packs.

Anti-smoking and public health advocates in China hailed the move as one of the first truly strong steps to curtail smoking and improve public health.

Beijing profits from the tobacco industry, bringing in an estimated $16 billion in tax revenue from cigarette firms. That alone could provide a serious obstacle to major reform, so the battle is not over yet.