Professor's smoking habit lands him in trouble again

A renowned Chinese philosophy professor has been put under probe after he was caught smoking during a lecture in the southern city of Shenzhen.

The Shenzhen Health Commission said in a statement on Tuesday that the professor, Wang Defeng, was invited to give a lecture on June 9. In a video that circulated widely on social media, Wang is seen smoking while giving the lecture, and the host hands him cigarettes even though the premise is a non-smoking area.

The Shenzhen Health Commission said it conducted an investigation into the matter and found that the organizer of the lecture, Shenzhen Huadonghui Culture Development Co, failed to promptly stop Wang's behavior. The organizer was given a warning.

The commission also said that an investigation into Wang himself is ongoing.

Wang is a retired philosophy professor from Fudan University in Shanghai. He is known for his witty and humorous speaking style, as well as his habit of smoking during lectures.

This was not the first time Wang received punishments for smoking in non-smoking areas. In September 2022, Wang was fined 3,500 yuan ($500) for smoking in a non-smoking area in Shanghai.

Li Enze, an official with the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control Association, said that Wang's behavior had set a bad example for teenagers. He expressed hope that Wang would refrain from smoking in indoor public places.