Beijing Bans Public Smoking

A smoking ban in restaurants, offices, and on public transport in Beijing began on Monday in an effort to curb China’s more than 300 million smokers. Violation of the new law carries a fine of $32 for individuals and around $1,600 for businesses. China’s previous attempts to implement smoking bans have largely failed, including guidelines published in 2011 by its ministry of health. Those rules were vague and smokers continued to ignore the initiative. Thousands of inspectors will help enforce the new ban.