Shanghai plans to forbid smoking in some indoor places
It is reported that Shanghai’s no smoking ban will no longer limit in public places. The range of no-smoking area will be extended to all indoor workplaces to create a smoke-free environment for World Expo in 2010.
The standing committee of the Shanghai People’s Congress will discuss new legislation. If the new law is passed, the current regulation which only deals with smoking free in public places will be replaced.
According to Li Mingzhu, director of the tobacco control office under the municipal health bureau, smoking is strictly forbidden in indoor areas which are defined as having ceilings and at least three walls.
“No appointed smoking areas will be allowed in the smoke-free zones,” she said.
“We do this to reduce the harmful effect of second-hand smoking to the least.” As one in four people in the city are smokers, the Shanghai authorities have also thought up a better way for smokers to break off the habit of smoking.
In order to help the smokers quit the habit, Shanghai has set up 58 outpatient clinics to offer smokers advice and treatment.
As the Health experts said, studies show that on average one in ten tobacco addicts who look for professional medical advice or treatment succeeded in giving up smoking. If they only rely on their own determination and efforts, most end up with failures.
A doctor at the Shanghai-based Zhongshan Hospital, Pan Jue, told China Daily that in the past few months the number of smokers going to hospitals for advice and professional treatment is on the increase.
“Initially, the patients come to the hospital because of a respiratory disease and are startled to find the main cause is smoking.” She said.
“When we expose the cause to them, and tell they can get better only by giving up smoking, they will consider our suggestion and are likely to adopt it.”
Through their extensive conversations and psychological persuasion, more and more people are becoming aware of the harmful effects of smoking, Pan said.
Recently, she said, a man was persuaded to seek medical treatment. He had been smoking for 20 years and he had developed a lung infection.
The man had tried to give up smoking several times, but finally all failed. However, through medical treatment and advice, he is now recovering and has broken off the habit.
Zhang Jianwei, deputy director of Zhongshan hospital’s administration department, said the hospital prohibits its staff to smoke on the premises, and this can be set as a good example for the patients as well.
He said the hospital will recruit only non-smokers according to its new policy.
China, as the largest producer and consumer of cigarettes, is home to over 300 million smokers.
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