Leniency and monopoly weaken tobacco ban

BEIJING HAS ISSUED A TOBACCO CONTROL REGULATION that will come into effect on June 1. The authorities have also listed three gestures available for residents to persuade somebody nearby to stop smoking. Comments:

Authorities nationwide have issued many tobacco control regulations but seldom have they punished anybody for breaking them; for lack of enforcement these regulations are no longer trusted. Why not learn from the lessons in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region? When the tobacco control office gets a complaint, it will investigate the case following strict procedures and punish the lawbreaker if his or her illegal deed is confirmed. They will also strengthen supervision over the building where the illegal smoking occurred. It is strict implementation of law that has enabled Hong Kong to successfully control tobacco use.

China Youth Daily, April 14