[dohtml]<p align="right"><i>Friday 01 May 2008</i></p>
<b><p align="center"><font size="4">China brings in smoking ban ahead of Olympics</font></p>
<p>While doubts linger about the air quality in the Chinese capital before the Olympic Games in August, athletes can at least be sure of a smoke-free environment during the event after officials in Beijing introduced a ban on smoking in public areas.</p></b>

<p>China is the world’s most enthusiastic smoking nation, home to one in three of the world's smokers. But, starting yesterday, smokers are out on the street as part of a campaign to improve the urban environment ahead of the Games.</p>

<p>There is absolutely no smoking in schools, hospitals or government offices, as well as at all 37 Olympic sites, including indoor and outside stadiums, training facilities and the Olympic village. Hotels, restaurants and bars face a partial ban, with smoking and no-smoking areas required.</p>

<p>The first smoke-free Olympic Games were in Barcelona in 1992 and the organisers of Beijing’s Games have been on a mission to keep up that tradition.</p>
<blockquote>Full story at <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/china-brings-in-smoking-ban-ahead-of-olympics-819733.html" target="_blank">The Independent</a></blockquote>[/dohtml]