Wuhan will fully implement the smoking ban at indoor public places starting on May 1, 2011. Those who violate the ban will be fined 500 yuan to 30,000 yuan.

Officials from the Wuhan Center for Disease Control said the city implemented the smoking ban in the health system as early as 2010 and currently, there are 390 health authorities and medical institutions reported to have established smoke-free units.

In 2011, the city will first implement the smoking ban in enterprises and public institutions, the education system and transportation departments and gradually promote the smoking ban to places such as restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and bars.

Wuhan health departments also require establishing enclosed smoking areas at public places. The previous approach that simply divided a smoking area from the smoke-free zone will not pass the evaluation.

In addition, the amount of fines will be also significantly increased, rising from between 20 yuan and 20,000 yuan to between 500 yuan and 30,000 yuan.