Hong Kong media: Shenzhen's strictest smoking ban strives for implementation to welcome APEC
In anticipation of the APEC Leaders' Summit in Shenzhen this November, the city is intensifying its smoking regulations. While full smoking bans have been implemented at high-speed rail stations and a reporting app introduced, some question the effectiveness of these measures.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 12:25
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 12:31 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 13:46 (1h 14m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Taipei, Central News Agency, April 26) This year's APEC Leaders' Summit will be held in Shenzhen in November. Hong Kong's Ming Pao reported today that to welcome this international event, Shenzhen has recently been actively enhancing its international image, with all high-speed rail and train station platforms now completely smoke-free.
The report states that Shenzhen's anti-smoking volunteer network covers the entire city. Recently, many districts have organized anti-smoking promotional activities, distributing anti-smoking materials to businesses and citizens, and conducting patrols in groups to advise against uncivilized smoking behavior.
The Longgang District anti-smoking activity recently pointed out that with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) approaching, creating a smoke-free public environment "not only complies with internationally accepted conference etiquette but is also an important measure to protect the health of participants."
Data shows that Shenzhen began implementing the "Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Smoking Control Regulations" in 2014. The regulations were revised again in 2019, including bus stops, subway entrances and exits, and e-cigarettes within the smoking ban, a move that was ahead of other parts of China at the time. Starting from May 2023, travelers and citizens can use the "Don't Smoke (別抽啦)" app to report smoking incidents at any time. In 2025, Shenzhen will also launch China's first local standard for "Non-Smoking Venue Construction Specifications."
However, the strict smoking ban has often been criticized for its implementation effectiveness. Many netizens posted photos on social media yesterday of people smoking at "non-smoking areas" like bus stops and high-speed rail stations in Shenzhen, indicating that the smoking ban is in name only. (Edited by Chou Hui-ying / Chang Shu-ling) 1150426
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(Taipei, Central News Agency, April 26) This year's APEC Leaders' Summit will be held in Shenzhen in November. Hong Kong's Ming Pao reported today that to welcome this international event, Shenzhen has recently been actively enhancing its international image, with all high-speed rail and train station platforms now completely smoke-free.
The report states that Shenzhen's anti-smoking volunteer network covers the entire city. Recently, many districts have organized anti-smoking promotional activities, distributing anti-smoking materials to businesses and citizens, and conducting patrols in groups to advise against uncivilized smoking behavior.
The Longgang District anti-smoking activity recently pointed out that with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) approaching, creating a smoke-free public environment "not only complies with internationally accepted conference etiquette but is also an important measure to protect the health of participants."
Data shows that Shenzhen began implementing the "Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Smoking Control Regulations" in 2014. The regulations were revised again in 2019, including bus stops, subway entrances and exits, and e-cigarettes within the smoking ban, a move that was ahead of other parts of China at the time. Starting from May 2023, travelers and citizens can use the "Don't Smoke (別抽啦)" app to report smoking incidents at any time. In 2025, Shenzhen will also launch China's first local standard for "Non-Smoking Venue Construction Specifications."
However, the strict smoking ban has often been criticized for its implementation effectiveness. Many netizens posted photos on social media yesterday of people smoking at "non-smoking areas" like bus stops and high-speed rail stations in Shenzhen, indicating that the smoking ban is in name only. (Edited by Chou Hui-ying / Chang Shu-ling) 1150426
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