Butt out: warnings as smoking ban hits

A manager of a budget hotel in Xuhui District is ordered to sign on a warning yesterday as inspectors found ashtrays in the property. Smoking is now banned in all indoor public spaces. (Jiang Xiaowei)

A budget hotel and a karaoke bar in downtown Xujiahui have been formally warned and are still being investigated as the city cracks down on public smoking.

A ban on smoking indoors in public areas came into effect on Wednesday.

Authorities say businesses that still provide ashtrays are encouraging illegal smoking and face fines.

"Companies managing places where ashtrays are found face a fine because that is a sign of not taking enough responsibility in banning smoking," said Zhan Yan, an official inspecting hotels in Xuhui District.

"But many of them claim they are not ashtrays, although cigarette butts are found in them."

Many companies found breaking the rules are being told to put more non-smoking signs up.

But 10 companies have been fined a total 21,000 yuan ($3,060).

They are in Minhang, Songjiang, Jiading and Qingpu districts, officials say.