Shenzhen gov't to start fight against e-cigarettes
China Daily
1550255396000

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A "No Smoking" sign is posted at the Shenzhen Railway Station. (Photo: gd.people.cn)

The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen is looking to increase restrictions on tobacco, and has already proposed banning e-cigarettes in public areas.

The government released the Smoking Control Regulations of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (Revised Draft) and called upon the public to offer opinions and suggestions.

According to the regulation, using alternative tobacco products such as e-cigarettes in public areas will be illegal. The regulation also increased the scope of smoke-free public areas, now covering outdoor platforms and waiting areas for public transportation such as buses, coaches, taxis, subways, ships, and airplanes, as well as within five meters outside the entrances of metro stations.

To protect young children, the draft proposes that tobacco products should not be sold within 100 meters of kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, youth palaces, or children's activity centers. Violators will face a fine of 30,000 yuan ($4,436).

Shenzhen is not the first city in China to prohibit e-cigarettes. According to experts, the e-cigarette is a con as it does not help smokers quit, but actually encourages young and old nonsmokers to take up smoking, eventually trying the real thing. In January, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province revealed its newly revised tobacco control regulations and became the first city to increase restrictions on e-cigarettes in no-smoking areas.