Following up on the October ban of e-cigarettes in public spaces, Shenzhen has released a new anti-smoking sign that includes an e-cigarette alongside the standard cigarette graphic. On December 26, the Tobacco Control Office of Shenzhen released the latest version of the no-smoking signs, which are to replace previous versions. The city’s health commission says it is the first to do so in China.
An officer from the World Health Organization in Beijing remarked:
“Shenzhen has taken the lead in banning the use of e-cigarettes in public places. Adding e-cigarettes to tobacco control signs will help raise public awareness of the new regulation and raise law-abiding awareness.”
In addition to public spaces such as parks, bus stops and tourist attractions, e-cigarette stores are also required to display warning signs. Those who choose to ignore the sign are first given a time frame to make amendments, and will be fined RMB2,000. If they fail to make corrections within the given time frame, a fine of RMB10,000 is imposed.
Xiong Jingfan, technical officer of the smoke-free city project in Shenzhen added that the inclusion of the e-cigarette graphic can also help in avoiding disputes caused by illegal smokers. Most people claim that they are not aware of the regulations on the ban of e-cigarettes when speaking with law enforcement.
All smoking signs around the city will be updated by December 31, 2020 as a one-year interim period has been granted.
READ MORE: Chinese Authorities Seek to Halt Online E-cigarette Sales
[All images via @深圳卫健/WeChat]
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