Shenzhen gets tough on smoking

People who light up in non-smoking areas in the Shenzhen special economic zone may face fines of up to 500 yuan ($81).

The Shenzhen People's Congress, the city's top legislative body, sought public input for a draft amendment on anti-smoking during a public hearing on Tuesday, according to Guangzhou Daily.

The fine for smoking in non-smoking areas is currently 20 yuan.

Meanwhile, the business operators and managers will be fined as much as 30,000 yuan for selling or allowing the sale of cigarettes in non-smoking areas, or for failing to prevent such smoking, the draft said.

Many residents who welcome the proposed fines think the current anti-smoking regulations are not severe enough.