2015 - A Smoke Free Beijing?

Whilst air pollution escalates almost unchecked to new and more dangerous levels, could Beijingers hope for some respite indoors? Not anytime soon as the Health Bureau looks to 2015 as the time to ban indoor smoking in the city. This pushes back the ban from the originally scheduled, and all too hopeful, January 1, 2011.

Recently an article in Xin Jing Bao (Chinese only) announced that, “Jan 1st, 2011 used to be the date of a smoking ban in public places, but it turns out it is impossible to achieve that goal.” Many who were here will also remember the government backtracking on their pre-Olympics smoking ban. But the question that must be asked is why will this take five years?

According to yesterday's China Daily the 2015 ban will work to make all Beijing indoor public places completely smokefree. This includes bars, restaurants, clubs and other places of public entertainment. Over the next few years, we should all be noticing a drastic increase in anti-smoking posters, banners, leaflets, and overly-repetitive ads on the subway.

The article also states, "The bureau is also aiming to reduce the smoking rate among men in the capital from 4.6 to 4 percent during the next five years." This unbelievable statistic or typo (46% more likely) is making the round in English articles but is unmentioned in any of the Chinese counterparts.

With air pollution reaching the most hazardous levels in recent memory, hopefully by 2015, we will be able to breathe a little easier. Just as encouraging, non-smokers can go clubbing and wake up the next day not smelling like a giant ashtray.