Hebei police detain 10 smokers in Internet cafés
- Source: Global Times
- [14:34 July 28 2010]
- Comments
Public security authorities and the fire department in a county in Hebei province detained 10 people for smoking in Internet cafés last Friday.
This follows the newly revised Fire Control Law of China, which calls for those caught smoking in particular public locations to be fined 500 yuan ($73) or to be detained for a maximum of five days.
The Hebei public security bureau and the fire department in Zaoqiang county, Hengshui, detained the 10 people during a general inspection of internet cafes, and Chinese public opinion is divided on the case.
Some people say they support the actions of the local police, as they believe that detention of the offenders is more efficient than merely educating the public about the dangers of smoking. But others think these detentions are too harsh a punishment.
One survey shows that 65 percent of the respondents are unsympathetic towards smokers in Internet cafés, and 35 percent support severe penalties for those breaking laws concerning smoking in public.
