Government facilities become anti-smoking role models

Twenty government facilities have been named as anti-smoking role models to help promote controls on tobacco use, said the Shanghai Health Enhancement Commission on Tuesday.

According to local anti-smoking regulations, Shanghai prohibits smoking in all indoor public areas, work places and on public transportation.

The commission said the city’s anti-smoking campaign has yielded positive results, as the adult smoking rate has been dropping for the past six consecutive years.

But there are still frequent violations at entertainment venues and eateries. Schools, public transportation and governmental facilities in rural areas have also seen a rise in smoking, say officials.

To push the campaign further, the authority is requiring government officials and facilities to take the lead in smoking control. The Shanghai government plans to make all official facilities smoking-free by 2022.