Beginning on 1 May, smoking in public places will not be allowed in China's cities and towns.

According to the Health Ministry, the new regulation will disallow smoking in buses, restaurants and bars, but it will be permitted in workplaces.

Data from the World Health Organisation showed that almost a quarter of China's population smoke and one million die every year from smoking-related illnesses.

"That accounts for one fifth of people world-wide who die from smoking," according to the World Health Organisation.

The said smoking ban was first implemented in hospitals.

The new regulations, the Ministry of Health, further explained also include a prohibition of selling cigarettes through vending machines in public areas and a call for programmes to warn about the dangers of smoking.

China's authorities, however, have not yet announced how the penalties will be enforced  should individuals or businesses broke the new rules.

Like us on Facebook

To contact the editor, e-mail: