China has banned smoking in schools, state media reported on Wednesday, the latest step in a government drive to kick the country’s pervasive tobacco habit.
Despite years of campaigning by health activists, China is the world’s largest consumer of cigarettes and smokers can be spotted everywhere, even in schools and hospitals.
But with a huge public health burden looming ever larger, China has recently intensified efforts to stamp out smoking.
The State Council, or cabinet, is aiming for a nationwide ban on smoking in public places this year, and several cities have already introduced anti-smoking regulations.
But critics say authorities only enforce bans sporadically, if at all, and it is common to see people puffing away in front of no smoking signs.
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