Authorities clamp down on e-cigarette use in no-smoking public areas

Authorities in Shanghai's Songjiang district had in early February launched a campaign to crack down on the use of e-cigarettes in public venues where smoking is prohibited.

The campaign also saw authorities issue the city's first violation ticket for the offence.

During the two-week campaign, officers from the health authority as well as police and tourism departments raided 80 venues, including large shopping centers and office buildings, where smoking is prohibited.

Four individuals who continued smoking even after they were told to stop by officers were fined 100 yuan ($14.5) each. Two venues that did not adhere to smoking restrictions were fined a total of 4,000 yuan.

The district health supervision authority said that it will increase the frequency of inspections at key public venues.

The Shanghai Health Promotion Center has reminded the public that e-cigarettes, similar to traditional tobacco, also poses threats to the health of the smokers and the people around them.