A smoking ban in Beijing comes into force today in the Chinese capital’s, restaurants, offices and on public transport .
Health activists have pushed for years for stronger restrictions in a country which is the world’s largest tobacco consumer.
Under the new rules smokers will be fined and also named and shamed on a government website.
The selling of cigarettes will also no longer be allowed in shops within 100 metres of primary schools.
Smoking is a major health crisis in China where more than 300 million smokers have made it part of every day life and millions more are exposed to secondhand smoke.
If the ban proves effective it could be rolled out across the country.