Chinese laughing at ban on smoking in public spaces

Source

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/01/china-bans-smoking-without-penalty

Summary

Smoking in indoor public spaces is no longer legal in China. The ban was introduced to reduce the number of smokers in China and protect their health. Many people, however, believe that the ban will not help much, since roughly half of the Chinese population smokes. Also, 10% of the country’s revenues comes from the tobacco industry. Anti-smoking campaigner says that it will take a long time before the ban will prove any effects. Other measures should therefore be taken, like pictures on packets that show the effects of smoking, which might terrify people and help them quit. Although the ban is made clear with ‘No Smoking’ signs in public spaces, it is not uncommon to find ashtrays in places where smoking was supposedly banned. There is no penalty anyway.

Comment

The idea is certainly a good one, but I don’t see why there is no penalty. It is not going to work if people know that they can just smoke and get away with it. The ban was introduced to protect the people’s health, but people still smoke in hospital waiting rooms… how ironic. I don’t smoke myself, but I know that terrifying texts or pictures on the packets won’t help either. People don’t even notice them. A ban on smoking in public spaces is a good start and I believe that it indeed protects the health of non-smokers. However, in the end it is up to the smoker himself whether to quit or not. You cannot just make them.