• March 29, 2024

Young effective in convincing smokers not to light up

Beijing is calling for volunteers to help implement the city’s strict new anti-smoking laws, according to a story in the Beijing Times.
Since June 1, the city has prohibited smoking in indoor public places and at outdoor venues where minors gather.
But while it has assigned more than 1,000 supervisors to ensure the law is enforced, reports have indicated that smokers can be found easily at hospitals and bus terminals.
Zhang Jianshu, the director of the Beijing Tobacco Control Association, said several governmental organizations are planning to better publicize the ban and strengthen law enforcement efforts by recruiting more volunteers.
The volunteers will be divided into two groups, one responsible for further promoting anti-smoking awareness and the other for co-ordinated management.
The co-ordination volunteers would receive training and subsidies for their work, Zhang said.
Student volunteers under the age of 18 are said to be particularly sought after because they have proved very effective in persuading smokers not to light up.