Anti-smoking law could get tougher_美文_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Anti-smoking law could get tougher

But he said the bureau plans to work with related departments to handle the issue in the following months.

Many local residents welcome the revised anti-smoking regulation, but fear it will be ineffective.

Chen Wenjie, a Guangzhou office worker, said the draft is an improvement. "But a fine of only 50 yuan for smokers is still not severe enough to deter law breakers," he said.

Wang Fangwei, a local housewife, said the draft amendment is good, but she does not think it could be fully carried out.

"Many law enforcement agencies in the city are lax on punishment in fighting illegal smoking," she said.

Also, by the time enforcement authorities arrive, the smokers might have stopped because it takes only two to three minutes to finish a cigarette, she added.

She called for more concrete and effective measures, such as fining the operators of restaurants instead of smokers.

However, many restaurant and bar managers and bosses are opposed to the proposed smoking ban. "The smoking ban and the fine to smokers would certainly affect the restaurant's business," said Zheng Canrong, a restaurant manager in Guangzhou's Yuexiu district.

According to statistics from the Guangzhou Tobacco Control Association, Guangzhou is estimated to have more than 2 million smokers, representing 18 percent of the city's population. That figure has been on the rise in recent years.