China: Shenzhen tightens regulations to become a smoke-free city

Committed since 2017 to a policy to become a tobacco-free city, Shenzhen has just strengthened its regulations to extend the provisions to new places and include vaping products.

After banning tobacco products near schools, Shenzhen has extended the ban on the sale of e-cigarettes within 50 meters of primary and middle schools. The city also aims to reduce primary and middle school students' exposure to second-hand smoke at home by gradually increasing the proportion of "tobacco-free homes" over the next three years.[1].

The city, which produces around 90% of the world's e-cigarettes[2], has just adopted restrictive measures in this area. In May 2017, Shenzhen declared its intention to become a "tobacco-free city"[3] - an ambitious goal given that 28% of all Chinese inhabitants were smokers[4], according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Other Chinese cities have also taken measures to combat smoking and vaping. However, Shenzhen's regulations are considered the most comprehensive in the country.

In July 2019, the Chinese State Council proposed, in a white paper, "Healthy China 2030"[5], to implement 15 targeted actions in the field of tobacco control to reduce the number of smokers to 20% by 2030 in the country[6]. To achieve this goal, many medium-sized and large cities have adopted strict local regulations. More than 20 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, have issued their own ordinances regarding public places. E-cigarettes, which are not classified as tobacco products in the country, are not exempt. Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Shanghai have included e-cigarettes in new local tobacco control regulations.

In Shenzhen, 100% of public spaces open to the public are smoke-free[7] and the ban on smoking and vaping extends to a perimeter of five meters around the entrance to public transport stations, and at a distance from platforms, parks, hospital entrances and tourist sites.

Keywords: Shenzhen, vaping, Legislation

©Tobacco Free Generation

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[1] Cai Xuejiao, Shenzhen Expands Its War on Tobacco, E-Cigarettes, Sixth Tone, October 12, 2020, accessed October 13, 2020[2] Josh Horwitz, China's e-cigarette industry cuts 10% of staff, slows production as regulation tightens, Reuters, December 20, 2019, accessed October 13, 2020[3] WHO commends Shenzhen's move to create 100% smoke-free environment, WHO, December 30, 2016[4] Goodchild M, Zheng R Tobacco control and Healthy China 2030 Tobacco Control 2019;28:409-413.[5] Tan, Xiaodong & Liu, Xiangxiang & Shao, Haiyan. (2017). Healthy China 2030: A Vision for Health Care. Value in Health Regional Issues. 12. 112-114. 10.1016/j.vhri.2017.04.001.[6] Ibid[7] WHO commends Shenzhen's move to create 100% smoke-free environment, WHO, December 30, 2016National Committee Against Smoking |