Authorities spearheading Beijing's big smoking ban are asking residents to report anybody that smokes in what the new regulation stipulates as prohibited area, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Wednesday.
As part of what will be Beijing's biggest anti-smoking initiative, authorities are setting up a hotline (the number is 12320), where city residents can report an offending smoker that violates the new tobacco regulation.
Each case reported to the hotline will reportedly be processed within 30 days by city health supervision authorities. Those calling in to report an offending smoker or smokers will be notified about the results later.
Officials from Beijing's Health and Family Planning Commission added that they will monitor violations of the new regulations through "undercover investigation". First-time violators will be given a warning by authorities; repeat offenders of the anti-smoking ban will be punished according to the new regulations, according to the Beijing Youth Daily report.
The paper also said that individuals or companies that violate the anti-smoking regulations more than three times will have their offenses recorded and published on a government website for one month.
The plan will be a city-wide effort to eradicate smoking in Beijing, with a heavy focus on limiting the habit in the city's government offices, schools, medical institutions, hotels, restaurants and entertainment areas.
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