A HONG KONG man was fined 50 yuan (US$7.19) for smoking in a KTV room in Futian District during the city’s new round of the anti-smoking campaign launched Monday, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

Several city government departments, including the anti-smoking office, the public security bureau, anti-smoking association and the chronic disease prevention center, have been carrying out the joint action to bust smokers in entertainment and other public venues since Monday.

The law enforcement officers went to Huanggang Village in Futian as the first stop to check its thriving entertainment venues. The area has also been on the authorities’ list of places that need special attention because smoking indoors could cause serious consequences.

The man was caught smoking inside a KTV room at an entertainment venue in Huanggang Village. The Hong Konger, identified as Cheung, looked confused when the law enforcement officers asked him to stop smoking and imposed a fine.

Cheung said he did not know that smoking was banned in KTV rooms in Shenzhen, adding that Karaoke venues in Hong Kong allow smoking. The law enforcement officers told him that smoking was not allowed at any indoor public venues, both in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Cheung paid the fine and said that although the fine was only a small amount compared to the HK$1,500 (US$191.50) fine in Hong Kong, he felt embarrassed to be caught in front of so many people.

After carrying out the anti-smoking action in Huanggang and Shuiwei villages, the law enforcement officers found that many areas that used to have a lot of smokers now have much fewer cigarette butts and fresher air.

“There used to be a lot of people smoking inside the rooms, but there are much fewer now,” said a waiter at a KTV surnamed Chen. He said most of the customers know about and obey the smoking ban and the staffers working there ask customers to stop smoking.

According to Zhuang Runsen, entertainment venues have been areas where smoking is frequently spotted. Since most entertainment venues are in indoor spaces, hazardous substances attach to the walls and objects for a long time, causing harm to people inside the rooms.

Zhuang said smoking in entertainment venues has largely been reduced. But he also said that some places need to further improve by adjusting their warning signs and removing ashtrays. (Zhang Qian)