Smoking banned in all primary, middle schools in China

Students in Handan city, Hebei province, advocate no smoking on May 29, 2013, two days before World No Tobacco Day. [Photo source: China Daily]

(ECNS)-- In an effort to build a tobacco-free environment for students, the Ministry of Heath has banned smoking at all primary and middle schools in China, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Tuesday.

The information was released by the ministry in a notification on Monday. The new regulation applies to schools including kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools and secondary vocational schools.

According to the notification, smoking is banned on campus for anyone at any time.

Schools are ordered to put non-smoking signs in prominent positions at their front gates, and school leaders should serve as the first people responsible for enforcing smoking restrictions.

Cigarettes should be banned from sale at all shops on school campuses, and no school buildings should be named after brands of cigarette products.

Health agencies should introduce inspection systems for the ban. Schools that refuse to ban smoking on their campuses will be investigated and punished.