'Ask a Laobeijing' is a regular series where we chat with a laoren about their thoughts on different issues. This month, we meet Zhang, 61, during a walk down Dongzhimen Bei Dajie.
What do you think about proposals for a nationwide public smoking ban?
“I hope anti-smoking laws will be enacted nationwide. The real problem is that smoking is just not conducive to health. I used to smoke but no longer do. I particularly like the idea of banning smoking in public places like parks because even smoking outside harms people who are trying to exercise in the area.
The local government’s current anti-smoking laws are great for city residents’ health. In the past there have been similar smoking bans in Beijing [in the mid-‘90s and in 2008], however they failed. It was more of an ‘issue’ – there was no actual legislation. I think the current ban is succeeding because restaurants and offices have warning signs and official policies to effectively carry out the ban.
It’s true that during special occasions in China, like wedding banquets, it’s common to give boxes of cigarettes as gifts. This is one of our traditions and we can’t say that this will suddenly stop – the smoking ban only recently came into play. It will take time, but I think that slowly this custom can change.”
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