A MAN was recently fined 500 yuan (US$72.46) for illegally smoking and hindering law enforcement at a Metro station in Longgang District. It is the highest penalty imposed on an illegal smoker on the Chinese mainland so far, the Shenzhen Evening News reported Saturday.

The man surnamed Chen was caught red-handed by law enforcement officers while smoking on a pedestrian overpass at Caopu Metro Station in Longgang on Wednesday. Chen clashed with the law enforcement officers and subsequently fled the scene. A law enforcement officer was slightly scratched during the altercation.

At 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Chen and his family showed up at the same Metro station to take the subway and he was spotted by law enforcers. After nearly three hours of persuasion, Chen eventually accepted the fine.

“We took him to the duty room and explained the regulations to him after we found him. Accompanied by his family, he admitted to his illegal acts and accepted the punishment,” a law enforcement officer said.

Chen was busted during the city’s second round of anti-smoking raids this year. The campaign, which has included five actions at the city’s Metro stations and parks, started May 20 and will run through Friday.

According to the city’s tobacco control regulations, an individual will be fined 50 yuan if caught smoking in a nonsmoking area. Those who refuse to obey or hinder law enforcement shall be fined 200 yuan or 500 yuan, respectively. (Zhang Yu)