Despite ban, smoking is rampant in Internet bars_美文

Despite ban, smoking is rampant in Internet bars

Aside from Internet bars, cultural and entertainment venues are also lax in complying with the smoking ban.

In 2011, 36 of the 66 places fined for violating the rules were cultural and entertainment venues. They were fined a total of 98,000 yuan.

In addition, the operators of some restaurants relaxed the rules to draw business.

"If diners are sensitive to smoke, we will provide a place for them where there are fewer other diners who can disturb them. But there is no no-smoking section," said Xu Zhenghua, the manager of Hunan Cuisine Restaurant, in Yangpu district.

"Smoking is inevitable," said the operator of Le Taotao restaurant, on East Tiyu Road, in Hongkou district. "We just turn a blind eye to some diners smoking." Opposite the man was a no-smoking sign.

Earlier last week, the Shanghai municipal health promotion committee teamed up with other government agencies to launch a week-long supervision initiative on compliance with the smoking ban in public places.

"The first day's inspection showed that restaurants have established non-smoking areas, and fewer people were smoking there compared with the period during the first month after the public smoking ban took effect," said Gu Xiping, the committee's press officer.

But she quickly added that things were not good in Internet bars.

"When law enforcers conduct on-the-spot inspections in Internet bars, they find that the areas stink of cigarettes," she said. "No smokers were found, but the heavy smoke showed that someone had been smoking there."