Anti-smoking lobby: Increase fines

An expert panel advocating a ban on smoking in public places has called on authorities in Beijing to double the 5,000-yuan fine on establishments that fail to prevent smokers from lighting up on their premises.

A draft to revise the current anti-smoking regulations and raise the penalty will be completed by the end of 2010, Cui Xiaobo, a member of the panel, told China Daily yesterday.

"Harsher penalties for establishments will be more effective than going around fining individuals," Cui said.