China invokes ban on smoking

China's latest push to ban smoking in indoor public venues came into effect on Sunday, but the vaguely defined expanded rules were not expected to dramatically reduce the country's heavy tobacco addiction.

China's latest push to ban smoking in indoor public venues came into effect on Sunday, but the vaguely defined expanded rules were not expected to dramatically reduce the country's heavy tobacco addiction.

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Smoking, which is linked to the deaths of at least 1 million people in China every year, is one of the greatest health threats.

Nearly 30% of adults in China smoke, about 300 million people — a number roughly equal to the entire US population.

The health ministry in March released amended guidelines on the management of public places that now ban smoking in more venues like hotels, excluding workplaces.