Legislation passed last November to curb smoking in public places in Beijing took effect 1 June, and authorities said they hope the latest restrictions will be enforced more stringently than past bans, Xinhua news agency reported.

Indoor smoking rooms at Beijing Capital International Airport were closed, as they were in 2008 when a prior ban widely was ignored, CNN news television said on its website. Xinhua said smoking bans in the capital have a history going back to the 1990s.
More than 1,000 inspectors were sent out on the first day of the new ban to check restaurants, bars, schools, hotels, hospitals and government agencies, Xinhua said.
Individuals may be fined CNY 200 (EUR 30) and restaurants CNY 100,000 for violations, according to Xinhua.