Shanghai to extend smoking ban

A draft amendment bill being proposed in Shanghai would extend the city’s restrictions on tobacco smoking, according to a Shanghai Daily story.

Currently, there are said to be 13 public areas where smoking is banned, including primary schools, kindergartens and children’s hospitals.

Under the new proposal, smoking would be banned also in other indoor public venues, including work places, and in some outdoor public places, such as hospitals, parks and tourist attractions. It would be banned at any public venue where minors were present.

In fact, the Daily’s report said that if the new rules came into force, smoking would be allowed only in designated outdoor areas.

The draft amendment bill, which includes punishments for non-compliance, has been submitted to the legislative body but opinions are still being sought from various government agencies.

If approved, it could be passed into a law by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the airports authority is said to be planning to remove the designated smoking areas at Hongqiao and Pudong international airports.