Beijing mulls banning govt money in tobacco purchases

BEIJING - Beijing released a draft regulation on Friday that would ban public funds in the purchase of tobacco and smoking sets in the latest move to control smoking, according to the municipal legal affairs office.

The draft regulation on smoking control also prohibits providing or presenting tobacco products as gifts in any official or public activities.

It also bans vending machines from selling tobacco. Smoking promotions or advertising are also prohibited, according to the draft regulation, which is soliciting public opinion.

It is not yet known when the regulation will be put into effect.

Smoking is also banned in indoor public places, schools, universities and cultural relic protection sites, according to the draft.

Those who violate the regulation face between 50 yuan ($8) and 200 yuan in fines.

China is home to over 300 million smokers, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the world's smoking population. At least 740 million non-smokers in the country are subject to second-hand smoke, according to official statistics.

Although a government regulation issued in 2011 bans smoking in enclosed public spaces, enforcement of the regulation has been considered very poor.