Visit to Beijing's Key No-Smoking Areas Finds Many Bus Stops Without No-Smoking Signs

On the first day of the implementation of what is called the "strictest smoking ban in history," reporters from the Beijing Times visited key public places and densely populated areas such as subway stations, train stations, bus stops, and hospitals. The investigation found that the initial effects of the smoking ban were good, and various sectors of society have begun to participate in the anti-smoking campaign. However, since it has just begun, there are still many blind spots in smoking control.

Subway Stations

Smoking Ban Signs Not Very Noticeable

Yesterday afternoon, reporters visited several subway lines including the Batong Line's Sihui East Station, Line 1's Guomao Station, Line 2's Jianguomen Station, and Line 10's Sanyuanqiao Station.

The common smoking ban signs are about 45 cm long and 30 cm wide, featuring a burning cigarette and the words "No Smoking" in both Chinese and English. At the aforementioned stations and transfer passages, although there are multiple smoking ban signs, these signs were installed previously, are faded, small, and rarely noticed by passengers.

Some stations, such as Beijing Station on Line 2, have red and yellow banners related to subway security checks and the "Beijing Rail Transit Operation Safety Regulations," but there are no promotional slogans regarding the "Beijing Smoking Control Regulations." Additionally, there are no dedicated supervisors or promotional broadcasts at these locations, but no passengers were seen smoking.

At around 12:30 PM, at the D exit of Sanyuanqiao Station, a man in his 40s was originally smoking but discarded his cigarette before entering the station. The man stated that he was unaware of the smoking ban and unclear about the details of the regulations, but he knew that smoking was not allowed on the subway, so he discarded the cigarette. He indicated that he had no plans to quit smoking, saying, "If staff advise me, I will comply with the regulations and smoke in allowed areas."

Train Stations

Smoking Control Broadcasts in Ticket Halls

Yesterday at around 11 AM, at the entrances of Ticket Halls 1 and 2 at Beijing Station, there were new smoking ban signs. Among them, the sign in Ticket Hall 1 included a complaint hotline and a QR code for the Beijing Smoking and Health Association. Scanning the QR code provides access to regulations, smoking control updates, and related media reports. Staff indicated that this sign was recently installed.

In Ticket Halls 1 and 2, a promotional broadcast is played every minute, informing passengers that smoking is prohibited in indoor public areas, on public transport, and in queues. Anyone has the right to advise against smoking, and those who refuse to comply may face fines ranging from 50 to 200 yuan. During the 40 minutes the reporter was present, no dedicated supervisors were seen, nor were any passengers smoking.

At nearly 12 PM, in the square in front of the station, many passengers were queuing to enter, and occasionally smokers could be seen in the waiting line, but no one intervened. A woman in her 30s stated that she was unaware that smoking was also prohibited in waiting lines, thinking that outdoor areas were permissible for smoking, and therefore would not advise smokers.

Children's Hospital

Many Smokers Near the East Gate Flower Bed

Yesterday morning, reporters visited the Beijing Children's Hospital and found that although there were numerous smoking ban signs and slogans around the east gate flower bed, almost every 50 meters, many people were still smoking there. At one point, six or seven people lit cigarettes within ten minutes. The only two smoking control supervisors present were sanitation workers. The most concentrated area for smoking control supervisors was the small square between the flower bed and the outpatient building, where a supervisor was seen patrolling every 50 meters. When asked why there were only two supervisors in the flower bed area, a supervisor named Liu said it was due to insufficient manpower, and priority was given to maintaining order in the small square, leaving no resources to supervise the flower bed area.

Mr. Zhang, a smoker from Baoding, Hebei, stated that he was unaware of the new smoking regulations in Beijing, which is why he was smoking illegally. Mr. Wang, another smoker, claimed he did not see the smoking ban signs, but upon being reminded, noticed a large promotional advertisement about one meter away. He quietly extinguished his cigarette and left the hospital.

Bus Stops

Many Stops Without No Smoking Signs

Yesterday afternoon, reporters visited several bus stops near Dongzhimen, Zuojiazhuang, and Shuangjing, and found no smoking ban signs or smoking control supervisors. At Dongzhimen Station and Beijng Bridge North Station, reporters observed people smoking. When reporters approached to advise against smoking, the smokers all claimed they did not see any no smoking signs. Mr. Zhang, a smoker, stated that since Beijing has a clear regulation that bus stops have a 1.5 square meter smoking area, and since there were no smoking areas or signs at Beijng Bridge North Station, it indicated that smoking was allowed.

Reporters called the health hotline 12320 to inquire and learned that all bus stops are prohibited from smoking due to being densely populated areas. Beijing only has 600 bus stations with designated 1.5 square meter smoking areas. Staff from the Beijing Public Transport Group stated that the so-called bus stations refer to large bus hubs like Dongzhimen Station or the starting points of certain bus routes. The designated smoking areas are located within the bus parking areas, primarily for staff use. Passengers are generally not allowed to enter the bus parking areas to avoid accidents.

When asked about the Zuojiazhuang bus station (the terminus for route 24), security guard Mr. Chen confirmed that there is indeed a smoking area set up for staff use, and he himself is prohibited from smoking while on duty.

Internet Cafes

Blind Spot Near the Restroom

Yesterday afternoon at 5 PM, reporters visited an internet cafe named "Time Space" located in the basement next to the Jing'an Market in Zuojiazhuang, Chaoyang District. During the visit, no smoking ban signs were seen inside the internet cafe, nor were there any broadcasts reminding patrons. The cafe was nearly full, and no one was smoking, nor were there any cigarette butts or ashtrays on the tables. However, in the corridor leading to the restroom, there was a worn-out "No Smoking" sign on the wall, and several smokers gathered nearby, with dozens of cigarette butts scattered on the ground.

According to several smokers, since the smoking ban regulations were issued, smoking ban signs can be seen in every corner of the city. Additionally, with the increase in tobacco taxes, cigarette prices have risen, and smokers themselves hope to quit smoking. However, since smoking has become a habit, it is difficult to quit in a short time, and they can only try to reduce their smoking frequency and avoid smoking in public places.

The staff at the "Time Space" internet cafe stated that smoking is not allowed inside, and violators will be fined, but the staff admitted they were unsure of the specific penalties. When asked why they had not posted the required promotional signs, the staff claimed that people already know about the smoking ban requirements, and no one smokes inside the internet cafe.

Bars

Many Claim Smoking is Allowed Inside

Last night at 9 PM, reporters visited the bar street in Sanlitun and found that many bars' reception staff stated that smoking is allowed inside the establishments, and there would be no penalties or inspections. Upon entering the bars, reporters found that many did not display any no smoking signs, and every table had an ashtray, with staff clearly stating that smoking was permitted inside the bar without penalties. Many customers were seen drinking and lighting cigarettes without any staff intervention.