Smoking indoors banned at World Expo site

SHANGHAI -?Smoking indoors will be banned with smoking outside restricted at the World Expo site in Shanghai.

Smoking would be banned inside pavilions, but there would be designated outdoor smoking areas, said Huang Jianzhi, deputy director of Shanghai World Expo Coordination Bureau.

And since lighters were not allowed to be taken into the Expo site, they would be provided at the designated areas, Huang said.

"Many people had called for a smoking-free Expo, but after considering international conventions and China's legislature, we believe that we should take some anti-smoking measures but not make a total ban," said Huang.

On March 1, Shanghai implemented a regulation to ban smoking in 12 types of public places, including schools, hospitals, sports stadiums, public transport and Internet cafes.

Shanghai World Expo, from May 1 to October 31, will showcase the theme "Better City, Better Life" and is expected to attract 70 million people.