In a China Daily article, health inspectors express frustration with the smoking ban, for indoor venues such as restaurants and hotels. Well, they are not alone.
As matter of fact, things are very simple right now:
If you are a smoker, head to a Chinese-managed location. You normally can puff away as you like and simply ask for an ash tray.
If you are a non-smoker and want to avoid second hand smoke, head to a foreign-managed location. No smoking is strictly enforced (and so are a zillion other rules).
The reasons are straightforward: health inspectors always target foreign establishments, trying to find any reason to make problems. You won’t see them in a next-door Chinese place. They could care less (why? think about it…).
If you have any doubts, simply go around in Sanlitun (Beijing) and compare. You won’t find any smoker in Morel’s Restaurant. But feel free to do what you like in a couple of other very well known bars and restaurants, I won’t mention them here.
As usual, Chinese officials single out whatever is foreign. Excellent targets to be pestered.
See the China Daily article: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2013-08/23/content_16915115.htm
“Health inspectors express frustration with smoking ban”, 23 August 2013.
(this comment was also directly sent to China Daily)