Beijing has fined 217 public units with fees reaching 570,000 yuan (US$89,230) in the past five months since the outset of its ban on indoor smoking on Jun. 1, 2015.

US$89,230 fined in Beijing for indoor smoking.[File photo]

According to the Beijing Public Hygiene Supervision Administration, its hotline 12320 regarding public hygienic issues has received 9,291 complaints regarding indoor smoking, averaging more than 70 cases each day.

Beijing has banned indoor smoking, covering a wide range of public facilities such as star hotels, office buildings, restaurants and healthcare centers.

An assessment conducted by the third-party institute and endorsed by the municipal public hygiene office shows that the enforcement of the ban has been highly effective in public healthcare centers, hygienic administrations and long distance bus stations which scored above 90 points out of 100 full marks. However, the enforcement has been slacking in a number of venues, including commercial entertainment centers and office buildings.

According to the Beijing Public Hygiene Supervision Administration, more administrative inspections will cover the venues including restaurants and cyber cafes which have been poorly scored in the appraisal. Additionally, smokers may be more prone to light their cigarettes indoors as the temperatures outside continue to dive below the freezing point.

According to the Chinese Association of Tobacco Control, the public gratification of smoking control in the past five months has risen from 42.26 percent to 81.3 percent. Meanwhile, acknowledgement of the city's Smoking-Control Regulations has increased from 43.43 percent to 82.64 percent.

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