Olympics heralded a new promise for China. Dubbed notoriously as the air pollution capital of the world, Beijing imposed a blanket ban on smoking in the run-up to the Games.
According to media reports, China is the world's largest cigarette producer, and Chinese are the world's most enthusiastic smokers, with a growing market of about 320 million smokers.
No Smoking signage dotted the landscape of the capital months before the spectacle. Beijing vowed to restrict smoking in most public venues in the city, including government offices and public transport.
It also passed an order requiring schools to incorporate into their curricula programs that inform students about the harmful effects of smoking and second-hand smoke.
However, what's really missing is a formal law banning the use of tobacco.
Image: Two men smoke outside a shop in Beijing, China after a citywide public smoking ban came in effect ahead of the Olympics.
Photograph: China Photos/Getty Images
Also read: Happy thoughts may help you quit smoking
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