The Shanghai health ministry has initiated smoking control laws in the workplace, a further step in the public smoking ban. Early research to collect advice concerning anti-smoking practices adopted by different countries is now underway.

Let's take a look at what the media has to say on this development.

A comment in the Oriental Morning Post voices concern over the future of the anticipated law. Although the regulation to ban smoking in public vehicles and waiting areas was released in 1997, it was not accompanied by specific rules for implementation. An evident question mark for this expected law lies in the details. How can the government monitor every public workplace? Who would inspect them? Which government sector should dole out punishment for violators? What kind of punishment would be appropriate?

The Oriental Morning Post points out the interests of the tobacco industry may be the biggest obstacle to ban smoke. Statistics show that over 50 million Chinese work in the tobacco related industries. Considering the scope of the tobacco industry's contribution to employment and national tax revenue, it is unlikely that another industry will take its place in the near future.

Xinhuanet says the Shanghai authorities expect to implement the law will before the 2010 Shanghai World Expo at the latest, if not early next year. Smoking control in public facilities and workplaces will be realized step by step, by designating well-ventilated smoking areas and dividing restaurants into smoking and non-smoking areas. Ultimately, smoking would be banned entirely in public places.